VFW monument honors all U.S. military
By Jessica Breger cassvilleads@outlook.com
Standing atop a hill just on the outskirts of Monett is a monument dedicated to the men and women who protect our country.
Since June 2024, eight flags have been flown in front of Tom Wolfe Memorial VFW Post 4207 on Highway 60, a mile-and-a-half miles east of Monett. The display includes the U.S. flag, POW flag, and flags for each U.S. military branch.
The Tom Wolfe Memorial was installed by the VFW to honor local veterans. The memorial bears the name of one such local who was declared missing in action nearly 60 years ago.
Vietnam Airman Cpt. Thomas Wolfe was shot down in his A-26 aircraft near the Ho Chi Minh Trail in the mountains of Laos. Wolfe was 28 years old when he went missing on June 28, 1966.
While the memorial bears Wolfe’s name, Danetta Wakefield, local VFW Auxiliary member and former president said it means more.
“It’s really a memorial for every single veteran,” she said.
Recounting the work that went into erecting the monument, Wakefield said it was a group effort, as multiple members of both the VFW Post and the Auxiliary visited monuments around the country during memorial services and funeral details.
In this way, members researched what similar memorials look like before designing and installing a monument at home.
Wakefield said such a memorial had been talked about within the VFW and Auxiliary for several years before the opportunity came about.
Plans for a memorial were discussed even when the VFW was still in its original location on Fifth Street in Monett. The post now sits on over 60 acres on the north side of Highway 60.
“When we bought this land, it was with the intention to build a large building and build a memorial,” Wakefield said.
When the day came on June 15, each flag was presented by a VFW and VFW Auxiliary member. Community members can also be part of the memorial by purchasing a brick to be engraved.
Bricks cost $100 each and are engraved with the names of veterans, active service members and local volunteers to honor their dedication to the country.
To purchase a brick for dedication or inquire about volunteer and membership opportunities with either the VFW or Auxiliary, people can can visit the VFW, located at 5400 US-60 in Monett, or call 417-235-8394.
