Conclusion

Monuments act as an accessible source of history and can shape the way we perceive certain historical events and figures. The rise of the Black Lives Matter movement, as a result of the murder of George Floyd, sparked a nationwide discussion about the power monuments hold in shaping the dominant narrative of history. To recognize the systemic issues in America, we must realize how racism and the patriarchy have contributed to the glorification of typically white male conquerors that are continuously rendered in the form of a monument. Monuments have power in the sense they deem certain events and historical figures as worthy of acknowledgment. Furthermore, one’s interaction with a monument or memorial is deeply personal. As we have seen by the toppling of monuments related to white settlers or the emotive reactions from veterans viewing the Vietnam War Memorial, memorials and monuments are more than mere objects. With this in mind, it is necessary for viewers of these monuments to truly inspect every detail to conclude what message the monument was built to convey. To ensure future monuments adequately represent the increasingly diverse community within America, we must question whose stories are being represented, and currently these stories are primarily limited to white men. To achieve monument justice, we must continue to be critical of the limited scope of narratives most monuments appeal to.

The olive branches featured on the Fox Point Veterans Memorial support the narrative that war, specifically World War II, was necessary to promote peace. In addition, the bald eagle symbolizes strength and freedom in America. The incorporation of the bald eagle was essential to convey a sense of American pride and exceptionalism. Overall, the bald eagle, the position of the memorial, and the olive branches align with a message that deems Providence veterans’ involvement in World War II as worthy and necessary to maintain America’s alleged principles of freedom and peace while seemingly concluding the contribution of female military personnel as inconsequential.