The "Lancaster Doughboy" Story

It was an ordinary day.  Just finished taking a photo of the Doughboy in front of the old Starr Armory on North Queen St. in Lancaster city.  Just in case you don't know, a Doughboy is an informal term for a member of the United States Army or Marine Corps, especially members of the American Expeditionary Forces in World War I. They were widely memorialized through the mass production of a sculpture, the Spirit of the American Doughboy. The statute that stands in front of the armory was originally in front of East End Junior High School in the 7th Ward of Lancaster City. It was made in 1921 and was placed at the junior high in 1925.  On it is a plaque that says: Dedicated to the men and women of the seventh ward of Lancaster, PA. who by their patriotism,  courage and devotion helped win The World War - 1914-1918.  For Humanity, Liberty, and Righteousness, erected by the Citizens of the Seventh Ward.  The statue honored the 482 men and women from the neighborhood who served in World War I.  The statue was made of copper sheeting and was made by sculptor E.M. Viquesney for communities across the country in the 1920s and 1930s.  Pretty neat statue that shows the likeness of a soldier with full combat gear. The raised right hand was to copy the same likeness of the Statue of Liberty.  The plaque was moved to the Armory on Queen St. in 1962 because of vandalism that occurred to it while in front of the junior high school.  Recently Lancaster city took ownership of the Doughboy and offered to return it to the original place it occupied years ago.  The South Ann Street Concerned Neighbors pressed for the return of the statue to their 7th Ward neighborhood.  The statue will more than likely be moved to a grassy area between the junior high school (now Edward Hand Middle School) and Washington Elementary school that is illuminated and equipped with security cameras. The 7th Ward deserves to have it returned to its original place so it can once again honor the brave citizens from the area who fought for our country in WWI.  It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy.

PS - stopped by today at Edward Hand Middle School and saw that the Doughboy has been returned to the rightful spot where it once stood.  The 7th Ward of the City of Lancaster deserved to have the statue displayed where it memorializes the veterans from that area of the city.

New display location for the Doughboy