News & Events

Upcoming Events

Last Weekend in April - Tunnel Tours

First Three Weeks in May - Annual Flower Planting

May 30 - Traditional Memorial Day Ceremony

June 19 - Juneteenth Celebration at the Monument

July 4 - Flag Planting in our Garden Beds

September 11 - Commemoration Ceremony

November 11 - Veteran's Day Program

November 26 - Winterfest

November 25 & December 2 & 9 - Patriotic Santa

Past Events

Dedication of the Daniel R Fields Family Monument in Erie Street Cemetery

On June 16, 2023 the Soldiers' and Sailors' Monument was honored to have the family of Daniel R Fields attend the dedication of a monument to the Fields Family buried in Erie Street Cemetery. Dan Fields was a Caretaker at the Monument who had served as the model for one of our most prominent statuary panels and worked on the Monument during the construction. He was, however, from Louisiana, a slave State until the end of the Civil War. Dan would have been between 12 and 16 years old when the war ended, based on different sources, which means there was a chance he himself had been enslaved. Dan's story is told daily in the Monument and serves to connect visitors to the Civil War. 

Many thanks to our officiant Dr. Burris of First Baptist of Greater Cleveland, the congregation to which the Fields Family belonged. 

Thank you to Milano Monuments for their efforts to repurpose stone remaning from the Soldiers' and Sailors' Monument Court of Honor which was left over after the redesign of Public Square. Without their generosity this project would not have been possible. 

Veterans Day Ceremony

Join the Soldiers' and Sailors' Monument in honoring our Veterans November 11, 2023 at 11:00am with a formal ceremony in the Monument's Memorial Room.

The Keynote address will be given by Maj. Gen. Deborah Ashenhurst, US Army (Ret.), current Director of the Ohio Department of Veteran Services. Wreaths will be placed by local Veterans for each branch of service. 

Traditional Memorial Day Ceremony

Date: May 30, 2023

Time: 11:00 am - Noon

Location: Northwest Steps of the Soldiers' and Sailors' Monument at 3 Public Square, Cleveland, OH 44114

Veterans' Mental Health Fair

Saturday, May 20, 2023 | 10:00am to 2:00pm

The inaugural Veteran’s Mental Health Fair will bring together the region’s mental health resources for veterans. The event will also feature an exhibition highlighting the regimental mascots of the Civil War. A regimental mascot, also known as a military mascot, is a pet animal maintained by a military unit as a mascot for ceremonial purposes or as an emblem of that unit. The health fair and exhibition were inspired by Daniel Sterns, 104th Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and his companion dog Harvey. Harvey was a reminder of home but also a comfort animal that grounded Daniel who suffered from undiagnosed PTSD. 

2023 Tunnel Tours

Tickets for this year have sold out in the first 6 minutes. We will provide a stand-by line on the days of the tours, this does not guarantee a tour but we will make every effort to get as many people in as we can throughout each day.  

Tours will be held Saturday, April 29 and Sunday, April 30 from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tickets are $5 and only a limited number of tickets will be sold in advance. Visitors may also opt to standby in line for any day-of tour openings. 

All proceeds and donations during the event will support Monument projects, such as external architectural lighting.

The concentric system of tunnels and walls beneath the Monument was built in 1893 and serves as its foundation. This system supports the weight of the structure and distributes that weight evenly over the entire footprint of the granite, marble and sandstone Monument. The Monument’s Memorial Room is open to the public from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. year-round but with special guest guides available on the Tunnel Tour event dates.

July 4th Flag Planting

Please plant a flag along our

Court of Honor flower beds in

recognition of the veterans listed in

The Cuyahoga County

Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Monument

who fought to preserve the

union we celebrate today.

Tie a ribbon and tag to the flag to honor your special veteran.

Enjoy a complimentary snack to celebrate the 128th Anniversary of the Monument’s dedication on

July 4th, 1894.

Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Monument to Host Juneteenth Celebration

The Cuyahoga County Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Monument – which honors the citizens of Cuyahoga County who fought and worked for the Union in the Civil War – to host a community Juneteenth celebration on Saturday, June 18 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

The family-friendly event will feature programming dedicated to the origins of Juneteenth, including readings of General Order No. 3 and dialogue about its meaning. Story time featuring books from the Cleveland Public Library, coloring stations, snacks and Monument tours will also be available for guests.

Memorial Day Ceremony

Date: May 30, 2022

Time: 11:00 am - Noon

Location: Northwest Steps of the Soldiers' and Sailors' Monument at 3 Public Square, Cleveland, OH 44114

Please join us this Memorial Day for a ceremony honoring traditional Decoration Day in accordance with G.A.R. General Order 11 and the laying of wreaths. We are honored to have keynote speaker Rear Admiral Duret S. Smith, M.D., Retired and VFW State Chaplain Major Christopher Zurawski providing our invocation and benediction.


Patriotic Santa

This holiday season the Cuyahoga County Soldiers' and Sailors' Monument is presenting "Patriotic Santa" as a free public event. Join this historically accurate Civil War Santa pulled from the pages of Harper's Weekly.

Take a photo with Santa for free on your personal device from 11:00am to 6:00pm during Winterland, November 25.

Join Us and Experience Patriotic Santa

November 25, 2021 - 11:00am to 6:00pm

December 2, 2021 - 11:00am to 2:00pm

December 9, 2021 - 11:00am to 2:00pm

In 1862 and 63 Thomas Nast, an illustrator for Harper's Weekly merged the elfin imagery from his native Germany and the European mythology of Santa Clause to create what we know of today as the American version of Santa. 

20th Anniversary of 9/11/2001 Terror Attack Remembrance Ceremony

The Remembrance Ceremony will began at 8:30 am inside the memorial room of the Monument marking the time of each of the significant moments in the timeline of September 11th, 2001. At 11:00 am the proceedings moved outside to the Northwest corner of the Monument's esplanade where a formal Memorial service was held.

Program of the Day's Events - Click Drop Down Arrow

Part 1 - Inside Monument 8:30am to 11am

[Begin Live Stream Pt. 1]

Each time below will be marked by the playing of taps, followed by a solemn moment of reflection lead by a local faith leader, and when time allows there will be a reading of short biographies of some of the Ohioans lost on 9/11. 

8:46am - Presentation of wreath for Flight 11 (North Tower Hit)

9:03am - Presentation of wreath for Flight 175 (South Tower Hit)

9:37am - Presentation of wreath for Flight 77 (Pentagon Hit)

9:59am - South Tower Collapsed 

10:03am - Presentation of wreath for Flight 93 (Downed at Shanksville, PA)

10:28am - North Tower Collapsed 

10:50am - Pentagon Collapsed 

 

[End Live Stream Pt. 1]


Part 2 – Outside Monument 11:30am – Apx. 12:30pm

11:25am - Musical Prelude - Where were you when the world stopped turning

[Begin Live Stream Pt. 2]

11:30am -Start of 9/11 Memorial Service

Order of program

1 - Welcome by Tim Daley - Retired Executive Director

2 - Remarks by Greg Palumbo - Executive Director

3 - Presentation of Colors

4 - Musical Selection - National Anthem

5 - Pledge of Allegiance

6 - Invocation

7 - Presentation of Wreaths recognizing those lost during each significant event of the morning.

5 - Presentation of wreaths representing the sacrifices made by each of these military branches during the 20 year War on Terror.

8 - Musical Selection - Amazing Grace

9 - Keynote Address - Rev. Dean Kavouras, Pastor, Christ Lutheran Church, Cleveland


Rev. Dean Kavouras is pastor of Christ Lutheran Church in Cleveland, and serves as chaplain for Cleveland police, fire and EMS, 1995 to present. Kavouras also served as chaplain to the FBI (Cleveland Division) from 1997 till 2014. In that latter capacity he was deployed to Shanksville PA for the recovery of UAL Flight #93, and later to NYC for the recovery of the WTC. In New York Chaplain Kavouras was assigned to the Freshkils Landfill on Staten Island where all debris from the towers was brought to be examined. There he rendered emotional and spiritual support to all who were in need. Chaplain Kavouras is the author of: "Nine One One The Aftermath: The Word Works" which recounts his 9/11 experiences. He and his wife Barb have 3 children, 10 grandchildren, and 1 great granddaughter. 


10 - Remarks by Ted Prasse, President of the Cuyahoga County Soldiers' and Sailors' Monument

11 – Benediction

12 - Taps by John Young of Bugler's Across America

13 - Closing Remarks


[End Live Stream Pt. 2]


Ohioans Honored in Our 9/11/2001 Memorial Exhibit Accompanying the Day's Ceremonies - Click Drop Down Arrow to See Those Included

In preparation for the Cuyahoga County Soldiers' and Sailors' Monument’s 9/11 Memorial Ceremony, the Monument is looking to connect with Ohio residents who have a personal connection to the events of 9/11 or know a former Ohio resident whose story should be remembered as part of the ceremony. To date, Monument staff have compiled the names of 13 Ohioans whose stories will be presented and highlighted on a display inside the Monument. The names to be honored include:

 

1. William Moskal, 50, of Brecksville, Ohio

2. Kathleen "Kit" Faragher, 33, grew up in Russell Township

3. Joseph Heller, 37, grew up and lived in Rocky River

4. Peter E. Mardikan, 29, in-laws live in Parma 

5. Christina Ryook, 25, grew up in Westlake

6. Debbie Medwig, 46, formerly of North Olmsted

7. Susan Getzendanner, 58, grew up in Shaker Heights

8. John Hart, 38, lived in Cuyahoga Falls and worked in Cleveland

9. George Spencer III, 50, grew up in Shaker Heights

10. Todd Weaver, 30, grew up in North Canton

11. Terrance Michael Lynch, 49, grew up in Youngstown

12. Lt. Col. David Scales, 44, lived in Cleveland and Berea

13. Wendy R. Faulkner, of Mason, Ohio

 

Story Submissions: Ohio residents are encouraged to share information about someone whose story they would like to be remembered as part of the 9/11 Memorial Ceremony by contacting Executive Director Greg Palumbo. Greg can be reached by phone at (216) 443-3754 or email at gpalumbo@cuyahogacounty.us.

What is Going on Out There!?!

You may be asking what is happening outside the Monument this Summer. It is a cleaning technique called a nebulous sprayer.

What's happening is soft water is continuously sprayed on the Monument drawing the contaminants out of the stone and allowing us to clean the surface for a fresh clean look.

This is a very slow process and will take all Summer to complete. At the same time we are taking out the old caulking on our steps and walkways and resealing the entire upper esplanade. This will include some patch work and will keep the water our of our basement for about 5 to 10 years.

If you would like to see more images of what is going on and updates follow this link.


The Monument Mourns the Loss of Commissioner Donald Jaffe

Don served our country in the U.S. Army Reserve, Judge Advocate General's Corp. He graduated with honors from the US Army-Military Intelligence School and obtained a honorable discharge with the rank of Captain.

He continued his military career with the Ohio Military Reserve (part of Ohio General's Department Initial Appointment-Staff Judge Advocate, raising in rank from Major to Colonel. He was later appointed Deputy Commander and promoted to Brigadier General.

His long lists of accomplishments included, Law Clerk, US Court of Appeals, 6th District, Trust officer at Union Commerce Bank, Assistant Law Director and Prosecutor, City of Cleveland Heights, Assistant U S Attorney & Chief, Civil Section. He was admitted to practice in all Ohio Courts and the U S Supreme Court while in private practice since 1972. He also served as part time Acting Judge of the City of Cleveland Heights and the City of Shaker Heights Municipal Courts. Donald served as an Arbitrator for the Better Business Bureau, hearing officer for the Ohio Department of Education and the Ohio Department of Health until recently.

Donald was also a Life member of the Ohio Bar Association, Ohio State Bar Foundation and an active trustee for the Cuyahoga County Solders & Sailors Monument since 2014.

Remembering Neil K. Evans

The Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Monument Commission mourns the passing of Neil K. Evans, former Commissioner and Past President of the Monument Commission. Neil passed peacefully at the age of 85 on Sunday, December 26th. Neil served the Monument as a Commissioner from 1993 through 2011 and served our nation as a Navy officer aboard mine sweepers during the Korean War and at the Bay of Pigs.

 

Neil enjoyed a 37-year career as a colorful and artful litigator at Hahn Loeser & Parks LLP beginning in 1964. Neil received his B.A. with honors in history from the University of Rochester and his J.D. and LL.B. from the University of Pennsylvania Law School.

 

During his career and following his retirement from HLP, Neil served as President of several civic non-profits including the Soldiers' and Sailors' Monument, the Cleveland Civil War Roundtable, the Ohio History Connection, the Ohio Chamber Orchestra, Early Settlers Association and the English Speaking Union. Neil was also an Elder in his Presbyterian Church and a member of the Rowfant Club, an esteemed bibliophilic society.

 

As a Commissioner of the Monument, particularly in his role as President, Neil was the guiding force in preserving and promoting the Soldiers' and Sailors' Monument. Leading the 2009 renovation and restoration, Neil brought color and luster back to the memorial room and repaired long overdue issues with the roof structure, securing the finest Civil War Monument not located on a battlefield, for generations to come. Neil's tenacity in pursuit of the funding and completion of the  project is highly regarded in Cleveland's cultural community. Ted Prasse, current Monument Commission President stated "We remember and honor Neil for his devotion. It was Neil's deep and abiding love for the history of the Civil War and the Soldiers' and Sailors' Monument, dedicated to honoring the memory of those from our county who served, that drove his passion to carry their stories into the future." 

 

Neil is the loving father of Elizabeth H. Evans (Joseph Love) of White Plains, NY, Henry K. Evans (Candace) of Sioux Falls, SD and Margaret C. Manning (Barton) of Arlington, TX; dear grandfather of Jeffrey, Susan, Luke, Katie, Maria, David, Audrey Anna and Trey; great-grandfather of Noah; dear brother of Beth Simmons of Lakewood, CO; uncle to Eleanor, Emily, and Stephen; long-time friend Ann Herbruck of Cleveland Heights.

 

The family prefers that those who wish may make contributions in his name to Cuyahoga County Soldiers' and Sailors' Monument Commission, 401 Euclid Avenue, Suite 46, Cleveland, OH 44114.