The Signal Boxes Are Wrapped!

This Memorial Day, 2023, the Des Moines Memorial Drive Preservation Association unveiled the signal boxes wrapped in World War I themed art to be found at intersections along Des Moines Memorial Drive from 116th South to the beautiful flagpole on the north end of Des Moines. We were joined by local Highline public figures and citizens who shared in our annual Memorial Day observance and the ribbon cutting for the signal box wrap and the new flower bed by the memorial. It was a beautiful. day.

Image Credits: The Library of Congress/The National Archives/Wend Images

The images found on these utility boxes serves as a historic journey through the drama and sacrifice of World War I which became known as the” War to End All Wars”. The photos in this collection include portraits of battle weary and shell- hocked soldiers who fought oversea.s Choctaw Code Talker who were the first Native Americans to contribute their language as secret code to further the war effort. And the famous fighting 369th regiment of African American soldiers from New York City, a soldier Warren Gilbert, and the U. S. Army officer of Japanese descent. More information is available at the Library of Congress website at www.loc.gov/ and National Archives at www. archives.gov/. Credits provided by Daniel Wend.

Background

With grant funds from Burien, Des Moines, Seatac and the Port of Seattle, we went to work to beautify these corners with World War I historical themed art. The people of the Highline area really stepped up to help with this World War I art project. Safeco offered us insurance for free. Scott Gifford, the local lawyer, provided us with all of the legal documents needed. We talked to the Arts commissions from Burien, SeaTac and Des Moines, as well as local groups. An arts Committee to select the artist was needed. Volunteers were there. We worked with Gabriela Frank, Melinda Berman, Ted Tepo, Jackie Benster, Judy Davies, Diana Cambronero and Kim Ross. We met on a cold, windy day outside due to COVID 19; then at a church; worked on email; and on the phone –what a wonderful group. They spent hours studying artists style, truly period art; how well it would be visible to different forms of traffic. The art submissions came from other states as well as from Highline. The chosen artist was Daniel Wend from Des Moines, Washington. We could not have had a better artist to work with.

The Artist Speaks

Daniel had a list of instructions for what needed to be expressed. artistically. He met every single one! Here, he describes his work:

This project honors those Americans who thought and died in World War I. Des Moines Memorial Drive celebrates our freedoms by honoring those heroes who fought in the Great War and paid the ultimate sacrifice so future generations could live in peace. Just like the residents living alone the road today, the World War 1 armies were made up of people from around the world, including. from right from here in Washington state. This project is part of the effort to preserve and maintain Des Moines Memorial Drive as a unique living historic monument through educational, cultural, civic, and fundraising endeavors.

Those who served were like us

It is our hope that through the years this art on the corner will serve to excite the community, especially our youth, to discover history and art. America has always been a multicultural nation. We see the faces on the posters reflected in residents along Des Moines Memorial Drive today. The photo of Des Moines Memorial Drive is from an actual photograph in our collection. The poppies represent blood shed for peace. The. the people represented by the images fought for peace and freedoms that we all enjoy today. Looking at their faces, we should take a reflective moment to say thank you.