Two new sculptures decorate Five Corners
Two new sculptures are decorating the George C. Marshall Memorial Plaza at Five Corners Intersection in Uniontown as the Friends of Marshall continue to pay homage to their hometown hero and honor the American soldiers he commanded. Recently installed, the sculptures include a reflective Marshall dressed in his World War II uniform and sitting on a bench. Nearby stands a World War II G.I. The sculptures, which are made of bronze, are the work of Washington artist Alan Cottrill.
The Friends of Marshall have placed these new additions in the section of the plaza that is on the same side of Main Street as the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 47. This section, commonly referred to as Phase II, is adjacent to the main plaza, which is a triangular piece of land located between Main and Fayette streets. The entire project lies along the historic National Road and acts as a western entrance into Downtown Uniontown.
“The only thing we have to do is install the plaques and do the landscaping,’ said Charles Cluss, Friends president.
The Friends plan to add another bench to the scene as well as four plaques. Three plaques, they noted, highlight remarks made by Marshall concerning war. They include:
“I come from a young country and therefore an impatient country. … Our purpose … is to see that peace comes to the world, to men’s minds, and comfort to the people. … There is no doubt in my mind that if we decide to do this thing, we can do it successfully. And there is also no doubt in my mind that the whole world hangs in the balance.’
“Never has it been so imperative that we give definite guidance for future generations against the horrors and the colossal waste of war. We must not leave our freedom and security to the hazards of mere hope or chance. … We must not speculate with the security of this nation.’
“The cost of war is written neatly in many ledgers whose columns are gravestones. I am greatly moved to find some means of avoiding another calamity of war.’
The fourth plaque is a tribute to “The American Soldier of World War II, 1941-1945, “Our sons, pride of our nation…’ Franklin D. Roosevelt.’
The Friends give credit to Ellen Ulmer of Fayette Engineering for creating the plaques and working with Cottrill. In fact, Ulmer designed the memorial, which was initiated in 1997. The Friends are proud of her work.
The original plaza is a heart-warming scene filled with trees, flowers and 20 flags, which represent the Marshall Plan nations, as well as Old Glory.
The park includes an arched bridge over Coal Lick Run creek, brick pavers and plaques which tell the Marshall story. The area east of the bridge refers to Marshall’s years in Uniontown and before World War II; the area west of the bridge explains Marshall’s success in World War II, the Marshall Plan as well as his terms as president of the American Red Cross and Secretary of State and Defense. The site is particularly impressive at night when the World War I Doughboy, a pre-existing landmark that was incorporated into the new design, is lighted.
The main plaza was completed in 2000 with the first public ceremony here being a flag raising that was held as part of the National Road Festival. No formal dedication of the memorial has yet been held as the Friends continue to have ideas.
Besides the area known as Phase II, board member Rusty Mechling noted he recently purchased the former Burnworth shop building, located at 129 W. Main St., which is the only surviving residence in this area from the time that Marshall lived here.
“Marshall lived across the street,’ said Mechling. “I bought it to preserve it with the hopes, in the future, of turning it into an information center.’
Attorney Samuel Davis, vice president of the Friends of Marshall, said, “Our ultimate desire is we would like this memorial to be maintained in a proper and professional manner.’
He said the organization would like the National Park Service to consider preservation of the memorial and anticipates a meeting with U.S. Rep. John Murtha (D-Johnstown) to discuss what role the park service could play. The Friends would like to see a park ranger stationed at the memorial during the summer and possible walking tours of the city originating from the plaza.
“We don’t know yet if we could get this done, but we want to try,’ Davis said.
For the present, however, efforts are centered are finishing Phase II in time for Uniontown’s Light Up Night, which will be celebrated on Thursday, Nov. 21.
Kathy Dowling of the Fayette Chamber of Commerce explained this year’s theme is “Hometown Holiday Celebration’ and it will honor EMS personnel – both paid and volunteer – throughout Fayette County. The event is co-sponsored by the chamber and the Uniontown Downtown Business District Authority.
The festivities get underway at 5:30 p.m. with the reading of city and county proclamations at the Fayette County Courthouse, Dowling said. There will then be a parade from the courthouse along Main Street to the George C. Marshall Memorial Plaza where the city’s holiday tree will be located.
All EMS personal and bands throughout the county are being invited to participate in the parade. Santa Claus will also be included. There will be entertainment that night throughout the downtown area in seven locations, including Storey Square. Local chorales will be invited to participate.
“We’re looking for donations to underwrite the event from monetary to napkins, cups and lights for the tree,’ said Dowling. “We do need marching units. Anyone interested in marching can contact us (at 724-437-4571).’
Even before the parade, however, the public has the opportunity to visit the memorial and see the new sculptures. Funding for them came in part from a $28,800 matching grant through the National Road Heritage Corridor from the state Department of Conservation and Natural Resources.
This Marshall sculpture is actually the second one of the general located on Main Street and created by Cottrill. Last December, officials installed a sculpture of Marshall on his horse, Applejack, accompanied by his dog, Fleet, in the Heritage Garden at the corner of Main and Pittsburgh streets. This sculpture, which is life-size plus a third, was formally dedicated last May.
The new Marshall sculpture at the Marshall Memorial Plaza is life-size while the G.I. sculpture is seven foot tall. Cottrill explained the World War II G.I. is supposed to be a companion piece to the World War I Doughboy sculpture, which stands at the corner of the plaza.
“It’s almost a mirror image: the Doughboy stands with a rifle in one hand and the G.I. stands with the rifle in the other. It’s a very similar pose,’ Cottrill said.
When working on the project, Cottrill said, “I did a fair amount of research on George C. Marshall. I read some books and looked at dozens of photos. The George C. Marshall museum in Lexington sent me photos.’
Cottrill said he was fortunate to find a set of photographs taken of Marshall when he had posed for a portrait that showed the general from different views.
Creating a sculpture of a famous person has advantages and disadvantages, Cottrill discovered.
“On one hand, it’s easier because there are lots of photographs. On the other hand, everyone knows what he looked like so it’s a double-edged sword,’ Cottrill said.
Cottrill’s work is well known in the area. He has created several pieces for California University. In addition, he produced four historic sculptures, including George Washington, that grace the entrance to Nemacolin Woodlands in Farmington as well as a 7-foot sculpture of Joe Hardy pointing out over his golf course. He also created seven life-size and a half geese on 28 eight-foot bronze reeds for the new Woodlands Outdoor World. Cottrill is now working on a piece for Hardy that enlarges a George Remington piece called “The Rattler.’
Why does he like sculpting?
“Don’t get me started,’ joked Cottrill. “It’s tactile. Every project is a little different. It takes a lot of organizational skills. More than anything, I like it because it gives me an avenue to vent emotions.’
Cottrill had kind words to say about the Friends of Marshall for taking on this project.
“They’ve given some much of their time unselfishly,’ he noted.
Asked what he hopes people will think about when they see his new sculptures at Marshall Memorial Plaza, Cottrill said, “I hope they will get some sense of the emotional complexity and integrity of George C. Marshall. And for the World War II soldier, I hope they get a sense of the tough grittiness of the American fighting man.’