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The Greatest Generation Memorial was commissioned by the Greatest Generation Reunion Committee. It is located between Bagen Hall and Old Main and was created by William Koch of Stone Art Memorials, Inc. Mr. Koch called the Canisius Archives looking for some history of the college during WWII and the post-war years. The result of his research in the archives are the images on the memorial dedicated to the "Greatest Generation." This memorial was dedicated on Veterans Day, November 11, 2007.
Images represented on the Memorial unique to Canisius College's history during those years are explained below.
Joseph E. Driscoll:
The text in the lower left of the first panel is an excerpt from a letter written by class president Joseph E. Driscoll to the class of 1943. Driscoll’s graduation photo is to the immediate right. The text of this letter to his peers foreshadowed Driscoll’s own future.Service Flag:
Robert R. “Duke” Maynard and Joe Driscoll served together in combat during WWII. On July 27, 1944, Driscoll died while attempting to save Maynard’s life. To learn more of this amazing story, click here.
During WWII, families, organizations, colleges and businesses observed the military practice of displaying service flags. The number of stars on a flag represented the number of members of that organization in service during the war. Gold stars overlaid blue stars when the news was received that someone had died in action. These flags were usually displayed in a prominent window, suspended from a ceiling or wall of a building, so passersby would readily see the contribution to the war effort.Record Registration:
The Canisius College WWII flag was dedicated by Rev. Timothy Coughlin, S.J. on Monday, February 21, 1944 in Old Main entrance. The image on the memorial is taken from a photo of that event. According to The Griffin of February 18, 1944, “The flag is a tribute to the fourteen hundred and twenty former students who have entered the service of their country. Of these, nineteen have given their lives, two are missing in action, and three have been captured by the enemy. Great honor has been gained for alma mater by twelve of these men who have earned a total of thirty-two awards for meritorious service.” The entire student body attended the dedication. Afterward, the flag hung inside the front door of Old Main.
By the end of the war, Canisius College would have sent 1766 men to serve in the war effort. Deaths would total 65. Read more about Canisius College WWII statistics in the scrapbook kept during the war by archivist, Rev. J. Clayton Murray, S.J. Digital scans of this scrapbook can be seen here.
“Record Registration: Happy Days are Here Again,” is a headline from the September 27, 1946 Griffin, and refers to the largest enrollment in the history of the college, due to the G.I. Bill which was made available for education of veterans.Father James Demske:
On the first panel there is an image of a soldier holding a little girl standing on the wheel of a Jeep. This image is from a photograph held in Canisius College archives that was sent home by a very young James M. Demske, from his post in Italy during WWII. Rev. James M. Demske, S.J. was president of Canisius College from 1966-1993.Two Army Air officers:
This image can be seen in the upper center of the first panel. It was inspired by advertisements in The Griffin, the student newspaper. The ads encouraged young men to join various branches of the military. To see other such ads click here.Canisius Seal:
The Army Air Corps located a training facility at Canisius College in March, 1943.
The seal of Canisius College has evolved over the 137 year history of the school. The seal on the “Greatest Generation” memorial was the official seal during the 40s.Military Classroom:
During the war years, the Army Air Corps used colleges across the country to educate Army Air Corps cadets. In spring 1943, Canisius College became one such school. The cadets were housed at the Consistory, now Canisius High School on Delaware Avenue, and classes were held at the Main Street campus. The cadets had their own magazine entitled The Chandelle, from which the image of the classroom instructor was taken. For more history of the Army Air Corps at Canisius College, click here.The Griffin:
On the far right of the second panel, note the Griffin bookend. All Canisius grads know the Griffin as the school mascot.
To see a photo gallery of the Greatest Generation Memorial installation, click here.
To read the Artist's statement, click here.
To read J.B. Walsh's comments on the occasion of the dedication of the memorial, click here.