THE DOUGHBOY STORY

This page contains various stories explaining the history of our Doughboy.

THE RE-DEDICATION CEREMONY (Onaga Herald, November 1992)

The Doughboy was cleaned, repaired, and a new dedication ceremony took place on 11 November 1992.

The ceremony opened with Larry Baxter, President of the Onaga VFW, giving the welcome. The National Anthem was played by the Onaga High School Band with soloist Mark Marcoux. The invocation and benediction was given by Chaplain Steven J. Felton.

Guest speakers were: General Michael Ryan, U. S. Army State VFW Commander; George Sheldon, American Legion State Department Adjutant; and Chuck Yunkers. An MIA Flag was presented by Larry Baxter.

The Doughboy was unveiled by three members of the Onaga Historical Society - Marjorie Labbe, Dorothy Brimer, and Mary Lieb. Kirke Grutzmacher layed the wreath at the foot of the doughboy. A rifle salute was given by the veterans and taps was played by Dane Pavlovich, and Andrew Steele.

Refreshments were served in the VFW Hall.

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Onaga Herald, October 14, 1920 -

The monument which the American Legion boys had purchased, arrived the first of the week and is now in the Brunkow garage. It is a fine piece of architecture and will be a much appreciated and honored monument. It is not decided as yet where the monument will be placed permanently, but a deal is now on progress whereby the city is endeavoring to get hold of a piece of ground for park purposes, and if the land is secured, the monument will probably be placed therein. The legion is arranging to have a celebration on Armistice Day, November 11, at which time the monument will be unveiled.

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ONAGA HERALD, NOVEMBER 11, 1920

Armistice Day was celebrated in Onaga, today under the auspices of the American Legion of this city. Elaborate preparations had been made for the celebration, but as the weather was quite chilly, a cold wind blowing from the north, the program was badly interrupted. The parade which was to have been been given in the morning was postponed, until after dinner and the basket dinner, which it was planned to have taken place on the schoolhouse grounds, was spread in the schoolhouse. Reverend Blackledge of Manhattan gave the address for the unveiling of the monument which had been erected at the intersection of Leonard and Fourth Streets. All the exercises were given in the Opera House and the building was crowded to its utmost capacity with people filled with inspirations for the occasion; had the weather been warmer and the roads a little smoother it is safe to say a record breaking crown would have been in town. After supper the Opera House was again crowded to witness the war moving pictures, after which the Legion pulled off a "bombardment" on the hills south of town. the program was concluded with a big dance in the Opera House. Music for the celebration was rendered by a band comprised of all the remaining players of the old Onaga band, led by the old leader, C. B. Ingalsbe, and a few of the visiting band musicians assisted. Only one rehearsal was had and half of those who played in the band yesterday were not present at the practice, but as some people might say it was "some band" and brought back to the memory of the older citizens of the city the time when Onaga had a band that was hard to beat.

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ONAGA HERALD, JUNE 1957

Members of the State Highway Department met last Monday night with members of the Onaga City Governing Body to discuss repairing of Onaga's main street. In return for state aid, city officials were asked to remove the Doughboy, located at the intersection of 4th and Leonard. They claim the Doughboy is a driving hazard in that it obstructs the view of drivers. City officials called in members of both veterans groups and when told of the choice, the veterans decided that the Doughboy would be moved. A contract agreement was then entered into between the City of Onaga and the State Highway Department. Under the terms of this contract the highway department will remove the Doughboy when the city gets a new base constructed at whatever site the veterans groups decide upon.

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ONAGA HERALD, AUGUST 1, 1957

It has been agreed that the Doughboy will be located at the cemetery, after it has been cleaned and polished by the veterans groups.

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MOVE DOUGHBOY FROM STREET INTERSECTION - ONAGA HERALD, AUGUST 8, 1957

A group, composed of the Kansas Power and Light crew, city employees, and American Legion members removed the Doughboy from its base at the intersection of Leonard and Fourth Streets on Monday morning. the Doughboy and the flag pole were taken to the American Legion Hall where it will be cleaned and polished before it is relocated at the Onaga Cemetery.

A few years ago, the city of Onaga and local military groups moved the Doughboy once again back to main street just a few feet away from where it originally stood. It stands today in proud glory for the men who fought in World War II.

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