IBM Endicott: The Supreme Sacrifice
Endicott Memorial Day: August 16, 1947 |
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Published August 30, 2021
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Updated on November 21, 2021
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The IBM Endicott World War II Memorial design was chosen by vote of the employees in November of 1946. The employees then provided the necessary funds through voluntary contributions. A special committee of employees was in charge of the construction and dedication of the memorial.
The IBM Endicott World War II Memorial is a modern-looking monolithic shaft which rests on four spreading steps representing FDR's four freedoms: freedom of worship and speech, and freedom from want and fear. An embrasure, a small opening in the monolith, contains the everlasting flame in the center of the front of the foundation.
The IBM Endicott World War II Memorial is a modern-looking monolithic shaft which rests on four spreading steps representing FDR's four freedoms: freedom of worship and speech, and freedom from want and fear. An embrasure, a small opening in the monolith, contains the everlasting flame in the center of the front of the foundation.
Recognizing IBM Endicott Employees Who Made the Supreme Sacrifice
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During World War II, 114 men and one woman from IBM made the supreme sacrifice in the service of their country. The image below links to the book handed out at the dedication in Endicott, New York on August 16, 1947 remembering fifty-seven who died from this site.
Our thanks to those IBMers that served during World War II but especially to the families that made the ultimate sacrifice for freedom. The following is an excerpt from Watson Sr.'s words that day in 1947. The link to a similar book issued during the Poughkeepsie ceremony is here [Poughkeepsie Memorial Day: September 27, 1947] "We express . . . sympathy, good wishes and appreciation to all of the Gold Star families in IBM and elsewhere. . . What the service men and women from IBM and from every family throughout the United States have done will carry on forever in the minds of all of us in this institution. . . . Without the Armed Forces of the United States the war would have not been won. Let us never forget our obligation, first to the ones who made the supreme sacrifice, secondly to all of the living veterans who were out there willing to do a job, and finally to all the people on the home front who did their best. |
This was an earlier ceremony held on May 28, 1945. Many were probably still missing in action.
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"Whenever we meet together, the memory of those who gave their lives for us will come first. The inheritance they bequeathed to us will remain for all time in our minds. We shall always appreciate the value of it.
"We shall always realize, also, that there is an obligation ... to make the most of that inheritance."
"We shall always realize, also, that there is an obligation ... to make the most of that inheritance."
Thomas J. Watson Sr., August 16, 1947
Program Presented to the IBM Endicott Attendees on August 16, 1947