Harrison Approves Replacement Of Shattered World War I 'Doughboy' Monument

HARRISON, N.Y. -- Harrison’s military statue of a World War I "doughboy" soldier -- which was blown off its concrete base at Ma Riis Park in June will be replaced this fall.

Harrison Mayor/Supervisor Ron Belmont stands next to the base of World War I monument that toppled over in June. The Harrison Village Board approved spending money to replace the "Doughboy" statue at Ma Riis Park.
Photo Credit: *Jon Craig*

World War I Doughboy as it looked earlier this year at Ma Riis Park in the Village of Harrison. The statue, which fell from its concrete base and broke into numerous fragments in June, will be replaced.
Photo Credit: *Erik Zenhausern on Facebook*

Jon Craig

08/22/2016 10:13 a.m.

Harrison Mayor/Supervisor Ron Belmont said the Harrison Town Board approved spending $43,645 from a contingency account to erect a new statue.

The original 5-foot-tall cast zinc figure was created by Indiana sculptor E.M. Viquesney and copyrighted in 1934. Strong wind on the 72bd anniversary of D-Day was blamed for toppling the historic concrete figure which shattered when it fell to the ground.

Polich Tallix, a company that does metal-cast moldings, was selected to complete the work.

The mass-produced monument known as "The Spirit of the American Doughboy" stood at the corner Harrison Avenue and Heineman Place since 1939, Belmont said.

The doughboy statue memorializes Harrison veterans of World War I. Doughboy was an informal term for a member of the Army or Marine Corps, specifically members of the American Expeditionary Forces.

Sculptors and related specialists in the field of military monuments were consulted, Belmont said.

Upon completion, the newly replaced statue of the doughboy will be unveiled in a rededication ceremony at the park, Belmont said.

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