St Marys Area - Let's Inspire The Country!
Honor Our Fallen Soldiers And Save Our History By Rebuilding The WWI Memorial
Help Our Non-Profit Honor The 1st Fallen Officer Of WWI And The Other Great Heroes
$42,413/ $60,000
Fight4The Fallen is fund of Caring Community Foundation nonprofit tax ID #47-4465692
You Can Save The Honor Of The Great Soldiers of WWI
Our soldiers give their lives in the service for our country and for Lt William Fitzsimons, an officer in the Medical Reserve Corps, it meant the ultimate sacrifice.
Lt Fitzsimons attended St Marys College in St Marys, KS and later at Kansas University becoming a medical doctor. After being deployed to France, in the city of Pas-de-Calais, the Germans air raided the Base Hospital on September 4th, 1917 that caused injuries to multiple soldiers.
Lt. Fitzsimons sustained injuries that would lead to his death as the first officer to be killed in World World I. His memory and story inspired countless soldiers to fight for our freedoms in the war.
This Monument Preserves Their Sacrifice
Because of the doctor’s selflessness and sacrifice, Governor Jonathan Davis dedicated a memorial, an arch, to symbolize the strength of spirit of Lt. Fitzsimons and all of soldiers who fought valiantly in the WWI.
The Diamond Jubilee Celebration to commemorate these brave men in 1923 is a reminder to all of us, at all times, the sacrifices our soldiers make.
That’s why their memories and sacrifices should never be forgotten, and the memorial arch of St Marys, a beacon to endless visitors and people who see it on the famous passage of the Victory Highway called Route 24 today, want to preserve their memory, and the memory of all the soldiers of WWI.
You Can Save Our History And Honor Our Heroes of World War I
116,516... that's the number of Americans that were killed during World War I. Their memory and honor have been forgotten by many, but this monument is a living testimony to their bravery and sacrifice.
But now you can help change that with whatever you can afford... $1, $5, $50... whatever you can afford. We know times are hard and inflation is out of control, but every penny honors the fallen and honors their legacy and now your legacy.
We know it might be hard to give anything, but if you could just spare $1 then other people will be inspired by helping and every penny helps.
While Monuments Are Being Torn Down We Are Building Up
If we could just get government funding and never ask you we would have. We're a small nonprofit, not professional fundraisers. We're sorry we have to ask you to make this sacrifice but any help rebuilds their honor and memory.
We are stuck with a terrible problem of a decaying memorial and we know Americans just like us want to be proud of their country and this memorial is the living embodiment of the greatness Americans have given to this country.
The Memorial Is Collapsing - Together We Can Restore It
While the memorial is breaking with inferior technology from 100 years ago, we can restore a lasting memorial to celebrate their honor and sacrifice.
The monument was once a shining symbol for many...
Today it is falling apart, the top torn off, and a tree growing out of one of the posts...
It's Up To You Now - Honor The Fallen & Save Their Memory
The structure of the monument is now dangerous but we want to restore it for honoring our fallen soldiers. The question is how can you help? These are our plans to restore the monument:
If everyone who visits this page can just donate $1 we can start planning rebuilding their sacrifice. Obviously, if you can spare more it would help us that much more, but just giving $1 does help and it's your way of knowing you are part of the restoration.
Be Part Of The Memorial Yourself
Join Our Generous Sponsors
We understand if you can only give $1, 5 or $10 as times are tough for many of us.
But if you can donate $50 or more you'll receive a gold-plated World War I Centennial Memorial Coin
Bronze Sponsorship $100-$300
At the bronze level you can have you, or a loved one, memorialized at $100 per line on the brick on the ground of the memorial. If you'd like your own brick the price is $300 with up to 3 lines of text on the brick.
You can pay in full or choose monthly and pay over 10 payments.
Here's where the brick will be on the memorial grounds
Each brick can be customized to your liking and here's samples of how the bricks will look and you can choose your name, family, friends, or your business.
Silver Sponsorship $600
Get your own 8"x8" brick that has up to 6 lines that you or someone you love, or your business can be memorialized. You can pay in full or choose $60 a month for 10 payments.
Gold Sponsorship $2,000
At the gold level you can be on the memorial directly and you'll be labeled a Gold Sponsor. You'll be on the column with the name of your choice and you'll also get a 4" x 8" brick with all 3 names of your choice.
You can pay in full or pay this and choose monthly for $200 for ten months.
Platinum Sponsorship $10,000
For $10,000 you'll be fully recognized as a Platinum Sponsor. You will have a premium spot on the memorial and you'll receive 12 lines of bricks of your choice (either four 4"x8" bricks or two 8"x8"). You can sponsor this for a 1 time payment, 10 payments or 24 months.
If you decide this is the plan for you and do the monthly payment option of ten payments of $1,000 or email us if you want to send the whole payment via check at [email protected]
When you donate over $10/monthly or $100 as a one time donation we will reach out to personally to make sure whatever name you choose on the brick is exactly how you want it.
$42,413/ $60,000
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the urgency to address this now?
The memorial is beyond repair and while we'll try cost-saving measures on other parts of the memorial we either we fix the arch or it will be removed forever. Either we protect the honor of the fallen soldiers or they will be forgotten from the area. When Our Lord said ""No greater love than this, that a man lie down his life for his friends." John 15:13 this is the love of a good Catholic soldier to his community and the importance of you helping save the memory of these great soldiers.
How will the funds be managed?
Fight 4 The Fallen is a fund of the 501c3 nonprofit Caring Community Foundation and will receive and manage all donations. We are a non-governmental foundation and your donation is tax deductible.
Is my donation tax-exempt?
Yes, the Caring Community Foundation is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt entity tax ID #47-4465692. The address is PO Box 54, Onaga, KS 66521.
Will anyone be able to visit the monument?
Yes, the monument will have a paved pathway connecting the arch to the historical museums situated right next door.
How will this help St Marys and the surrounding area?
The beautification of the area will help in attracting visitors to the area, but more importantly it will serve as a reminder to everyone that good men and women risked their lives in our most perilous moments. As many parts of this country break from its history and the destruction of their monuments this is our way of preserving our history.
How are you going to restore the arch?
Our current plan is to have a concrete structure with stone cladding. The decorative parts of the arch will be carefully removed and scanned. With today’s 3D scanning technology, we can make this arch identical to the original.
How much money do you need to restore the arch?
Current projections put us at $2.2-2.6 million between lighting, concrete and masonry, stone work, and the full spectrum of enhancing the grounds to give the monument a full restoration from the ground up. Our $20,000 is an example to the world of how we can bring this nationwide for fundraising.
When was the Memorial built, and to whom is it dedicated?
In 1923 alumni of the original St. Mary’s College raised funds to build a memorial arch to honor the “Sons of St. Mary’s College” who had given their lives in World War I.