source: Transcribed from "Daughters of the American Revolution Magazine, Volume 56. July 1922, No. 7", pages 408 & 409 - Published Monthly for the Society by J.B. Lippincott Company, Philadelphia, Penna.

Waucoma Chapter (Waucoma, Iowa).  The unveiling of the bronze memorial tablet erected to the memory of our soldiers who died overseas, took place on Sunday, October 23, 1921.  The native boulder estimated to weight about three tons, whose flat surface was well adapted to the placing of the bronze tablet, was secured from a nearby farm and placed on the lot given by the Cemetery Association to the Daughters.  The tablet -- 16 by 20 inches -- is of standard bronze, and beside the inscription, bears the insignia of the Society.  The securing of this memorial is due to the untiring efforts of the Chapter Regent, Mrs. Etta L. T. Burnside and the chairman of the Memorial Committee, Mrs. Dolly G. Webster.

            At two o'clock the Daughters, preceded by the band, left the Red Cross room and marched to the cemetery.  The unveiling brought out a large and patriotic attendance and attested to the high honors paid by the people of Waucoma and vicinity to the memory of our soldier dead.  The ceremonies were brief and impressive.  Music by the band.  Invocation by Rev. W. H. Gifford.  Singing of "America" by the Chapter.

            To the strains of "Nearer My God to Thee" by the band, the flag was removed from the boulder by Miss Helen Fox, daughter of Doctor Fox, and held during the remainder of the exercises by Miss Helene Bright, daughter of the Vice Regent, Mrs. Nellie Bright.

            The beautiful bronze table bears the following inscription:

MEMORIAL

 Dedicated to Those Who Died in the

World War

Captain Walter H. Fox

Medical Corps, Base Hospital 85,

France.

Red Cross Balkan Commission, Northern Serbia.

1918-19.

 Private LeVerne A. Belding

Headquarters Company, 102nd Infantry,

26th Division, Signal Battalion, A.E.F.

1917-1918.

 ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Sergeant Lester L. Slagle

Company D, 102nd Infantry, 26th Division, A.E.F.

1917-1918.

 ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Erected by Waucoma Chapter, Daughters

of the American Revolution.

1920.  

            Those illustrious men of the Revolutionary period by their wisdom, patriotism and sacrifices established and transmitted to us this system of free government, the richest inheritance ever bequeathed to the sons and daughters of men.  To safeguard this priceless inheritance, Dr. W.H. Fox, LeVerne A. Belding and Lester L. Slagle gave their service and their lives.

            The Chapter Regent, Mrs. Etta L.T. Burnside paid a tribute to the three soliders whose names appear on the table of the first of its kind to be erected in Iowa, and in presenting the tablet to the town said:

            "This beautiful memorial for our soldier dead I am sure will inspire all who see it, and to the Honorable Mayor and the village of Waucoma I commit it with reverence."

            In his speech of acceptance, B. A. Webster, Mayor pro tem., accepted the gift in behalf of the people of Waucoma and thanked the Daughters of the American Revolution for placing the memorial, that in years to come future generations may know that when the call came our boys were ready.

            Rev. W. H. Gifford, pastor of the Congregational Church, was then presented and gave an inspiring address.  He paid a loving tribute to the young men who offered their all upon their country's altar, and said in closing:  "So long as this granite rock shall endure, so long shall the story of what these men suffered and accomplished be told to their praise."

            The Recessional was given by the Chaplain and the response by the Chapter.

            The "Star Spangled Banner", by the band, closed the exercises.