Local War Memorial Finds New Home

Members of the Oskaloosa American Legion watch as the memorial honoring those of Company H, 168th Infantry of the 42nd Division “Rainbow Division” is placed at Forest Cemetery on Thursday afternoon. (photo by Ginger Allsup)

Oskaloosa, Iowa – Time and people slipped by the unassuming plaque located on the north side of the square.

But there, beneath that old ragged flagpole, the plaque would speak to anyone who would peek over the hedge. But for a memorial remembering the sacrifices given by our soldiers, that’s not good enough.

So the American Legion, with assistance from the City of Oskaloosa, coordinated moving the memorial from the city square to Forest Cemetery.

Fred Bridges, Commander at American Legion Post 34 in Oskaloosa, spoke about the men who served in Company H, 168th Infantry of the 42nd Division during WWI. The division is best known as the “Rainbow Division”.

“I think every member here today is proud of the fact that it’s found a permanent home. It’s definitely the place it should be,” Bridges said at the placement ceremony.

The American Legion Post in Oskaloosa is named for one of those men who served in Company H, and died for his country at the young age of 17. Harry L Anderson was the first person killed in WWI from Mahaska County, and the Legion Post proudly carries his name today.

And with a 21 gun salute, the simple ceremony came to a close.

Karen Hafner, Events Coordinator for the Oskaloosa Area Chamber and Development Group said, “I feel a lot better,” about having the memorial at it’s new location.

If you would like to see the memorial, it is now located near the main flagpole and veterans memorial at Forest Cemetery, in-between the ponds.

The following video documents the 42nd “Rainbow” Infantry Division.