Bethlehem Steel’s Veterans Memorial

May 24th, 2020 |

Bethlehem was buzzing last summer when it was announced that the Steelworkers Veterans Memorial at 3rd and Fillmore Streets on the South Side was moving to the grounds of the National Museum of Industrial History. The memorial’s location was chosen by the Bethlehem Redevelopment Authority as the site of a new parking garage. This relocation sparked some confusion on social media, as some thought the Bethlehem Steelworkers Memorial Park, located off the Fahy Bridge near the Banana Factory, was slated for the move.

The Veterans Memorial was born of a desire to honor Bethlehem Steel Veterans from the four major wars of the twentieth century: World War I, World War II, Korea, and Vietnam. Instead of simply a plaque or plaques at the bottom of a flagpole, an unappealing proposition to the Steelworkers, a project that was more befitting of all the sacrifices made during these conflicts was conceived and crafted under the skilled hands of Bethlehem Plant workers.

Bethlehem Steel at War

When the First World War began in 1914, Bethlehem Steel Co. quickly became involved in the mass production of guns, ammunition, armor plate, ordnance, and ships. Answering the call for munitions was a boon for the company, and the profits from this war led to considerable expansion.

The war to end all wars did not, and once again Bethlehem Steel answered the call for production. By the end of World War II, the corporation produced 73,421,622 tons of steel and an astonishing 1,127 ships. Bethlehem continued producing ordnance during the Korean War and made small armaments during Vietnam. In addition to the company’s wartime service, many Bethlehem Steelworkers were part of the Armed Forces, making a Veterans Memorial a fitting goal.

Making a Memorial

Bethlehem millwright Raymond F. Rosati Jr. was instrumental in the conception and design of the memorial. The late Mr. Rosati was a veteran himself, having served in Vietnam as a Marine. His design, 8 feet high, 16 feet wide, and weighing 1 ton, was crafted by steelworkers during lunch breaks and after hours at the plant and fabricated with weathering steel. Cutouts of stainless steel feature three-dimensional scenes from the four conflicts along with a plaque honoring military personnel listed as missing in Korea and Vietnam.

The Steelworkers Veterans Memorial was dedicated on May 26, 1989. Walt Williams, company chairman and a Korean War veteran, spoke during the ceremony. Steelworker and veteran Don Trexler relayed the origin story of the monument. It was consecrated a little over a month later in a solemn ceremony on July 5. Lieutenant Colonel Leonard Shupp, chaplain of the Memorial Council of the Indiantown Gap National Cemetery, did the anointing.

After all the hubbub, the memorial remains at its original location between the Fowler Center and LVPA. Stop by and visit this weekend to remember the men and women

Kathy Zoshak is a Bethlehem native and long-time volunteer with Historic Bethlehem Museums & Sites. She currently lives in Colorado with her husband and is developing a podcast about Bethlehem and its history.

Sources

Forging America The Story of Bethlehem Steel copyright 2010

Bethlehem Review Magazine 1989/3

Bethlehem Review Magazine May, 1946 article and photo

Morning Call July 5, 1989

Morning Call May 27, 1989

Lehigh Valley Live June 11, 2019

The Bethlehem Booster Vol. 1 November 15, 1918 No. 14 photo

Sparks June 1943 photo

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