The Trenton War Memorial

The Trenton War Memorial

The Trenton War Memorial located in downtown Trenton, New Jersey, has been the Mercer County community centerpiece for political gatherings and performing artist since 1932. The 248 foot long by 144 foot wide Italian Renaissance palace celebrates World War I victory with its four stone column entrance and beautiful interior. On one of the passage walls hang four bronze tablets symbolizing the names of the Trenton citizens lost during the World War along with the emblem “We shall never war except for peace”. Beyond the lobby through bronze doors is the entrance to the theater where decades of performances and political celebrations have taken place. To either side of the theater are extended winged sections, a meeting room, smoking room and ballroom.

Similar to the expansion of rededicating the Veterans Memorial in Washington D.C beyond the just one war, the Governor of New Jersey expanded the originally dedication of honored soldiers and sailors of Trenton, to all those who have served with courage, dignity and patriotism in the Armed Forces of the United States. Contrast to the funerary designed walls at the Veterans Memorial in Washington D.C., the Trenton War Memorial’s beautiful designs emulate a place to be cheerful rather than a place to be reminded of lost life. One of the reasons may have been that during the planning stages for the Trenton War Memorial, James Kerney, the chairman of the building committee was not an advocate of glorifying war. The building committees’ goals were to create “a great community center” by combining “beauty, dignity and civic utility”.

For some, war memorials serve to commemorate heroic victories and to honor the dedicated individuals who sacrificed lives for their country. For others, war memorials can serve as a way of remembering freedom, peace and living life. In either case, individuals should never forget why they were erected.