Effingham, IL-(Effingham Radio)- A bit of local history was retold on Monday as a statue of a WWI local veteran, Lawrence Durre, was fabulously restored and rededicated at the Effingham VFW.
The statue was created in 1918, but had fallen into disrepair over several years; however, in a project led by the Effingham County Museum, and involving individuals from local private businesses, the school system, and a number of private citizens joined in the effort to put the statue back in place at the VFW. It took lots of emails, relocation of the statue, and lots of research, but it was all worth the time and effort.
The original artist was Nellie Boyd, who made that statue to honor Durre. and after the statue was discovered in such a state of disrepair, lots of local individuals and entities worked together to bring the statue back to its former glory. Those who helped include:
- Effingham VFW, Theodore Hoffman Post 1769
- Effingham County Museum
- Unit 40 Art Teacher and students
- JB Esker & Sons (Sponsored purchase of needed materials)
- Micheal Love and Chase Smith (helped move the sculpture)
- Kevin Hiatt (Loaned Cherry Picker to move sculpture)
- Tom Fuesting (Donated workshop space)
- Jason & Paul Huber (Engineering & Construction)
- Pyramid Marble (Donated time and materials for concrete pad)
- Private Businesses and Area Citizens
Barb Boyd, great granddaughter of Nellie Boyd, was one of many in attendance for the rededication ceremony.
Delaine Donaldson started the ceremony by giving a background on how the process of getting the statue repaired started. He explained that it took many months to get the statue to where it is today.
Charlie Huber, Unit 40 Art teacher, was instrumental in the process. He helped personally find the needed materials and searched online on how to best mend the pieces together. He shared that while it was a big undertaking, he was extremely grateful for everyone who helped.
Charlie also spoke about how it all came together, and what he thinks it shows about the local community.
Delaine Donaldson also provided a background on Lawrence Durre.
“Lawrence E. Durre of West Township in Effingham County was the son of Charles and Ida Durre, born on April 27, 1894. He volunteered for service on May 14, 1917 in Battery A of the 140th Field Artillery, 32nd Division, being later transferred to the 40th Division.
After enlisting, he was given a short furlough to visit his parents. On July 15, 1917, he went to Camp Hogue at Lansing, MI. In September the same year, he was moved with his company to Camp MacArthur at Waco, TX and in January, 1918, he was moved to Camp Merritt, NJ.
He embarked at New York on March 22, 1918 to Bordeaux, France on April 4, 1918. On July 8th, 1918, they were ordered to the front. They were on the battle line continuously for more than 4 months. With his company, Lawrence was engaged in the most terrible battles of the war, including the 2nd battle of the Marne, battle of Chateau Thierry, the great drives around St. Mihiel, 2nd battle of Verdun, and that terrible battle of Argonne, where thousands of his comrades fell.
It was these battles that turned the tide of the war. Lawrence Durre has a place in this history. He went through the war without a wound, but on November 10, 1918, the day before the armistice was signed, he was the victim of a gas attack, which led to his hospitalization a few days later. After lingering for 4 months, Lawrence died at Brest, France on March 17, 1919.
By his death, the nation lost a true citizen an to the local community, a brave hero.”
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