Downey Idaho Community
Downey War Memorial
August 7, 2002 by Penny Greaves Emotions ran high at the dedication last Wednesday of the Downey War Memorial honoring those who have not only died, but those men and women who have served in the military for their country. The man behind the project, Vern C. Bloxham and wife Delores, with help from Dee Boyce of Clifton raised nearly $10,000 to erect the marble monument topped by an American Eagle. The dedication drew nearly 100 folks from Downey, Preston, Star Valley, Wyoming, Richmond, Utah, and other places. Bloxham, the holder of the Purple Heart for action in World War II, welcomed visitors, including a camera crew from Pocatello's Channel 8, then sang a medley of patriotic songs with wife Delores which included the theme songs from each of the branches of the military. The memorial, which had been shrouded until the ceremony, was unveiled by Downey Mayor Ralph C. Riser, Jr. and City Councilman Dennis Phillips, both Vietnam veterans. Tears were visible on many faces at the unveiling, as audience members, many of them family members of those whose names were on the memorial, viewed it for the first time. |
Speakers on patriotism were County Commissioner Jim Gunter and State Senator Bert Marley. Riser and Phillips were the concluding speakers.
Dedication was by James D. Boyce of Oxford, a World War II Veteran. The memorial honors more than 500 men and women who served in World Wars I and II, Korea and Vietnam from Downey, Swan Lake, Virginia and the Oxford area. Many Oxford veterans attended Downey High School before there was a school in that area.
In the audience were state legislators, former Downey mayors and a number of family members of those whose names appeared on the monument.
Former Downey residents Harry and Dorothy Allsop attended from Star Valley, Wyoming. They owned the Downey Pharmacy, where Harry was pharmacist, for many years. After leaving Downey they lived and worked in Pocatello and Salt Lake before serving two years on an LDS mission to Mongolia.
Upon their return, they heard of the plight of the Downey Library and the need for a new building, and donated the former pharmacy building to the project.
Also attending were former Downey residents Reed and June Morrison, now of the Pocatello area.
All those who traveled many miles to attend said it was because this was a great event for the city of Downey, and they wanted to see it. Most watched with choked emotion.
Bloxham is aware that servicemen could be missed, so space has been left on the monument to accommodate names that may have been missed. Anyone who wants a name added should contact Vern Bloxham at Downey.
The monument is located in Henderson Park Arboretum on Main Street across from the Downey City Office. It is named for former schoolteachers and local philanthropists Erwin and Twila Henderson, who have spent years donating carpentry services to organizations and families in town.
Dedication was by James D. Boyce of Oxford, a World War II Veteran. The memorial honors more than 500 men and women who served in World Wars I and II, Korea and Vietnam from Downey, Swan Lake, Virginia and the Oxford area. Many Oxford veterans attended Downey High School before there was a school in that area.
In the audience were state legislators, former Downey mayors and a number of family members of those whose names appeared on the monument.
Former Downey residents Harry and Dorothy Allsop attended from Star Valley, Wyoming. They owned the Downey Pharmacy, where Harry was pharmacist, for many years. After leaving Downey they lived and worked in Pocatello and Salt Lake before serving two years on an LDS mission to Mongolia.
Upon their return, they heard of the plight of the Downey Library and the need for a new building, and donated the former pharmacy building to the project.
Also attending were former Downey residents Reed and June Morrison, now of the Pocatello area.
All those who traveled many miles to attend said it was because this was a great event for the city of Downey, and they wanted to see it. Most watched with choked emotion.
Bloxham is aware that servicemen could be missed, so space has been left on the monument to accommodate names that may have been missed. Anyone who wants a name added should contact Vern Bloxham at Downey.
The monument is located in Henderson Park Arboretum on Main Street across from the Downey City Office. It is named for former schoolteachers and local philanthropists Erwin and Twila Henderson, who have spent years donating carpentry services to organizations and families in town.