Veterans Information

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Veterans Information

The Onondaga County War Memorial was designed as a living tribute to Onondaga County Veterans. It has honored all who have served and enriched the lives of Central New Yorkers for more than 65 years.

The venue boasts the beautifully appointed Memorial Hall as well as a Veteran Exhibit Area (curated by Onondaga Historical Association) and an Honor Wall with over 60,000 area veterans.

We invite you to explore its history and current contributions to area Veterans and the Onondaga County community at large.

Navigate the Page

> Viewing Hours
> History
> Memorial Hall

> Honor Wall
> Veteran Exhibits
> All Who Served Club
> Donations
> Onondaga County Veterans Service Agency

Viewing Hours

Regular Hours (Labor Day – Memorial Day)

Tuesday, Thursday and Friday: 11 am-1 pm

And During Events

Summer Hours (Memorial Day – Labor Day)

Tuesday and Thursday: 11 am-1 pm

And During Events

History

During the 1940's and in the midst of WWII, forward-thinking William B. Stark envisioned a great memorial in downtown Syracuse; a memorial paying tribute to the heroes of the two world wars. Stark wasn't content with simply erecting a monument, his idea was for a multi-purpose war memorial building, unlike any other facility in America.

The planning stage lasted throughout 1945. As plans progressed, Stark toured the United States, visiting about 60 auditoriums and noting the advantages and disadvantages of each. Early in 1948, a competition was held between 19 local architects. The War Memorial Commission selected the design of Edgarton & Edgarton, Architect Engineer Associates. By the end of the year, the official plans were approved by the state, three chambers of commerce, numerous civic organizations and 62 veterans posts in the Onondaga County Veterans Council.

Ground Breaking
The long-awaited groundbreaking took place October 22, 1949 with the Gold Star Mothers of Onondaga County performing the historic task. Excavation began two days later. For nearly two years, construction crews worked at a feverish pace, rapidly building the Memorial.

More info coming soon...

Memorial Hall

Memorial Hall eulogizes the county's fallen veterans. It was created as a shrine to all who gave their lives in battle. It measures 100' x 30' and is finished with marble, tile and decorative windows. Bronze tablets were originally inscribed with the names of nearly 1,600 county residents who died in WWI, WWII and the Korean Conflict which hds just begun.

The hall includes two 16' x 24' murals, one at each end of the hall. These were commissioned by G. Lee Trimm, an artist from Westerlea, Town of Camillus. The World War I mural, based on the poem "In Flanders Fields," depicts a victorious scene with an American soldier hold the torch of freedom. The World War II mural, "Freedom Under God," shows American soldiers liberating Europe and destroying the walls of oppression.

Honor Wall

The Veterans Honor Wall is located in the second floor corridor across from Memorial Hall. Currently the Veterans Honor Wall is emblazoned with the names of more than 60,000 Onondaga County Veterans.

To be included on the Honor Wall, each Veteran has to be a resident of Onondaga County when they entered the service, or have lived in Onondaga County for the past five years and they had to have served and been honorably discharged.

As of 2018, there is no longer room on the physical wall to add more names. During the War Memorial Renovation Project, Kiosks were added to the War Memorial to view those who have served from Onondaga County. The 60,000 names that are on the Honor Wall will be on a Honor Roll on the Kiosks as well as any new Veterans that apply, and are accepted, for inclusion. The Honor Roll can also be viewed online and on all devices.

To apply for inclusion:
Please complete and return the War Memorial Veterans Honor Roll Application to the Onondaga County Veteran Service Agency (address listed on the top of the form).

Veteran Exhibits

Learn more about the Veteran Exhibits and current renovations here: https://honorroll.ongov.net/video.php

All Who Served Club

Learn more about the All Who Served Club here: https://honorroll.ongov.net/video01.php

For veteran's groups interested in hosting a meeting in this space, please contact the Onondaga County Veteran's Service Agency at 315.435.3219.

Donations

Do you have items you would like to donate to the Veterans Exhibit in the War Memorial? Thank you for thinking of us!
As the Onondaga Historical Association curates this exhibit. We kindly ask that you reach out to them with more information on your items you are interested in donating.

Veterans Service Agency

Onondaga County's Veteran Service Agency (VSA) provides information, assistance and advocacy to Onondaga County veterans. For more information on specific services offered, visit http://www.ongov.net/veterans/