Winged Victory Monument

In 1919, Governor Ernest Lister proposed to the State Legislature that a memorial be constructed to honor the soldiers, sailors, and marines from our state who lost their lives in World War I. In response, the legislature passed a bill that dedicated $50,000 towards the memorial's construction. That money was not used for many years, but sculptor Alonzo Victor Lewis’ initial designs were finally approved in 1927.

The main feature is a 12-foot-tall statue of the famous Nike of Samothrace, the Greek goddess of victory at war. She stands protectively behind the roughly life-sized statues of a sailor, soldier, and a marine (representing the three main forces of America’s World War I military). Also included is a Red Cross nurse who follows the three men with a medicine kit slung over her shoulder.

Inscriptions

There are inscriptions on each of the statue's four faces.

East face

To the memory of the citizens of the State of Washington who lost their lives in the service of the United States during the World War 1917 – 1918.

The east face also bears the Washington state seal.

North face

Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friend.

West face

Their sacrifice was to vindicate the principles of peace and justice in the life of the world.

South face

They fought to safeguard and transmit to posterity the principles of justice, freedom, and democracy.