The “Fountain of Eternal Life” is a dichotomy of symbols and subjects that resides in downtown Cleveland, Ohio. The monument and public space simultaneously celebrates the potential of humanity to achieve everlasting peace while also honoring Cleveland veterans who have fought and died in various wars. That it does so in such different but meaningful ways has allowed it to become an icon of Cleveland which resonates with audiences on many different levels.
Transcending Death and Celebrating the Sacrifices of Veterans
“The War Memorial Fountain” stands nearly 50 feet in the air as was installed in 1964. Designed by Cleveland Institute of Art graduate Marshall Fredericks, the central figure in the sculpture has been described by the artist as one that represents all of mankind rising out of the flames of war and destruction. The figure reaches for eternal peace that will transcend death and encompass the entire planet.
The globe that a sculpture rises out of contains four granite slabs, each of which was designed to depict geographic civilizations of the Earth. Europe’s section shows a female nude caressing two dogs. The Asian section has an older man holding his ground against a couple of sea creatures, The African section shows two people worshiping an elephant deity. The American section shows an alligator behind a couple figures. These symbols and representations are designed to transcend specific time periods to makes sense to people from all eras.
The granite rim surface surrounding the fountain features bronze plates the bear the names of those who served, died, or were declared missing and were from the Greater Cleveland area. There were 4,155 names on the Memorial Fountain of people who served during World War II and the Korean War when the fountain was originally dedicated.
The Greater Cleveland Veteran’s Memorial, Inc. was formed in 1988 to ensure these sacrifices would be remembered and that the people being commemorated would not be limited to these wars or to just the people who were already honored at the memorial. A 2004 rededication saw the addition of 1,361 additional names to include Clevelanders who died in the Spanish–American War, World War I, the Vietnam War, and the initial six casualties of the Iraq War. The organization’s honor roll makes it easy to find any name from the monument.
This focus on Clevelanders in such a meaningful and ongoing manner is just one of the reasons that the “Fountain of Eternal Life” has formed such a close connection to the community.
Connecting with Clevelanders
Veterans’ Memorial Plaza features a large open space with plenty of benches and room for sitting, walking and jogging. Also known as “Mall A”, it was conceived of as a vast public space that would be flanked by the city’s major civic and governmental buildings. This gave it the space and prominence to become a hub of activity and a place that would be a natural fit for a monument.
The “Fountain of Eternal Life” is known by many names, a fact that underscores how it has connected with audiences in so many different ways. The abstract nature of the fountain, when compared to the uncomplicated listings that bear the names of Cleveland veterans, allows visitors to experience the monument on various levels. This dichotomy enables audiences to connect with the abstract and realistic elements of the monument in whatever way makes sense for them.
Doing so has allowed the “Fountain of Eternal Life” to become an icon of the city that is utilized in maps of Cleveland, as part of products that are for sale and even for branding purposes. This connection is altogether different from how audiences interact with the war memorial elements of the piece though, which are far more profound and ongoing.
A re-dedication ceremony held in 2019 saw 42 names ceremonially added to the monument, and plenty more have and are planned to take place. This initiative enables a continual connection to the community that can be felt and seen across Cleveland. It’s also specific to the Cleveland community as GCVM has specific criteria that must be met in order for a casualty to be included on the Memorial Fountain.
By focusing on the Cleveland community in such a literal manner, the “Fountain of Eternal Life” has been able to connect with Clevelanders in a much deeper way than they can with memorials that never change or with nearby sculptures. These connections have created a legacy that resonates for audiences of all eras.
“A Living Memorial”
The Fountain of Eternal Life has become a memorial for any Clevelander who has been pronounced dead or missing in war between 1899 to present, making it a true living memorial. The fact that the memorial can be expanded and changed to further celebrate Clevelanders has allowed it to become recognized as an icon of Cleveland that will continue to generate interest and activity in countless ways.
