Not much is known about Berthoud’s chapter of the American War Mothers. It is common knowledge, however, that the organization erected the red granite monument that stands in Berthoud’s Town Park. The inscription on the stone marker simply states “In Honor of Those Who Fought That We Might Live.” That short statement does not convey that the War Mothers raised the monument to honor the community’s participants in World War II. Local residents, however, were well aware of that purpose when the monument was unveiled in October 1947.
The American War Mothers, a self-described “perpetual patriotic organization,” was established on September 29, 1917. Since membership was limited to mothers whose sons and daughters who had served in the Armed Forces between April 6, 1917, and November 11, 1918, the organization was not built for growth much less survival. That changed at the outbreak of World War II when the organization’s charter was amended to include mothers whose sons and daughters were fighting in that war. The organization continued to foster patriotism and give aid to veterans through hospital work and became well known for selling carnations and performing Mothers Day ceremonies at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.
The most visible contribution made by the American War Mothers to the Berthoud community occurred in October 1947 when the organization announced that it would erect a monument honoring “boys and girls of World War II” in Berthoud Park. In announcing the event the Berthoud newspaper noted that the organization consisted of a very small group of local ladies who had paid for the monument from their treasury rather than soliciting funds. The tabloid also added the women were to be highly commended for their interest and thought in placing the monument that would be “a lasting tribute to our fighting heroes.”…