Auburn City Park, located at 405 E Street NE, has recognized Veterans since post WWI. In recognition of Auburn citizens that served and died in WWI the city planted 9 Silver Maple trees, which are still growing in the park. Post WWI the city added other Veteran monuments that include a Nike Missile, a WWII tank destroyer, and a WWI French mortar.
Two WWII veterans, Jack Lausch and Bill Warren, decided that Auburn needed a veteran’s memorial. Their vision was not a memorial to a certain era but to recognize all veterans of all wars and to memorialize those that made the ultimate sacrifice during any United States conflict. These two WWII veterans contacted both the University of Washington and Green River College for concepts. After reviewing the concepts, they decided their ideas was not what they were envisioning.
Bill Warren retired to his garage and fabricated his idea out of plywood and plastic. This model became not only the concept of the memorial but the scale model that the engineers used to design the memorial. The Auburn Veterans Memorial became a joint venture between the City of Auburn and American Legion Auburn Post 78 Veterans Memorial Committee.
Jack Lausch and Bill Warren’s dream was dedicated on July 4, 2000. What Bill and Jack were not aware of was the impact they had on the City. Auburn City Park, which was dedicated in 1929, was officially renamed that same day, to Auburn Veterans Memorial Park. Unfortunately, Jack Lausch died prior to the construction so he did not see his dream completed but he is memorialized with the only bench located inside the memorial.
The City and Veterans owe a lot to the dreams of these two very determined, somewhat stubborn veterans that took on all naysayers and created a Veterans Memorial that continues to be used for veteran ceremonies throughout the year.
Two WWII veterans, Jack Lausch and Bill Warren, decided that Auburn needed a veteran’s memorial. Their vision was not a memorial to a certain era but to recognize all veterans of all wars and to memorialize those that made the ultimate sacrifice during any United States conflict. These two WWII veterans contacted both the University of Washington and Green River College for concepts. After reviewing the concepts, they decided their ideas was not what they were envisioning.
Bill Warren retired to his garage and fabricated his idea out of plywood and plastic. This model became not only the concept of the memorial but the scale model that the engineers used to design the memorial. The Auburn Veterans Memorial became a joint venture between the City of Auburn and American Legion Auburn Post 78 Veterans Memorial Committee.
Jack Lausch and Bill Warren’s dream was dedicated on July 4, 2000. What Bill and Jack were not aware of was the impact they had on the City. Auburn City Park, which was dedicated in 1929, was officially renamed that same day, to Auburn Veterans Memorial Park. Unfortunately, Jack Lausch died prior to the construction so he did not see his dream completed but he is memorialized with the only bench located inside the memorial.
The City and Veterans owe a lot to the dreams of these two very determined, somewhat stubborn veterans that took on all naysayers and created a Veterans Memorial that continues to be used for veteran ceremonies throughout the year.