{"id":7580,"date":"2025-03-14T22:45:01","date_gmt":"2025-03-14T22:45:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/buber.net\/Basque\/?p=7580"},"modified":"2025-03-14T22:45:01","modified_gmt":"2025-03-14T22:45:01","slug":"open-call-for-finding-a-home-for-the-national-basque-wwii-memorial","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/buber.net\/Basque\/2025\/03\/14\/open-call-for-finding-a-home-for-the-national-basque-wwii-memorial\/","title":{"rendered":"Open call for finding a \u201chome\u201d for The National Basque WWII Memorial"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Would you like your Basque club or town to be the \u201chome\u201d of the National (U.S.) Basque WWII Veterans Memorial? <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The North American Basque Organizations\u2019 <\/strong>(N.A.B.O.) <\/strong>Basques in World War II Special Committee<\/a> has opened a call for proposals among its member clubs to host the future memorial intended to permanently remember and honor our Basque WWII veterans. The submission deadline is May 30, 2025.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/a>
Simulation of the National Basque WWII Memorial Plaza<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

How to keep the memory of this \u2018greatest generation\u2019 alive?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Our mission is to honor the valor, sacrifice, and enduring legacy of Basque WWII veterans recognizing their profound contributions to freedom and democracy. Through commemorations, education, and advocacy, we pledge to ensure their stories are remembered, their sacrifices acknowledged, and their courage celebrated for generations to come.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

As of today, the not-for profit historical association Sancho de Beurko Association<\/a> has been able to identify\u00a0over 1,900 WWII veterans of Basque origin<\/strong>\u00a0(spanning three generations) in the U.S. Armed Forces, compiling research in 46 States, Washington D.C., and Puerto Rico, and the completion of 1,200 biographies. The identified 1,900 veterans resided\u00a0in 30 States, Washington D.C., and Puerto Rico<\/strong>\u00a0at the time of their enlistment.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As soon as the research is completed, the Sancho de Beurko Association would be pleased to\u00a0<\/strong>donate and hand over the names of all identified Basque WWII veterans to N.A.B.O. as the main institutional representative of the Basque American community with the goal of creating a memorial. Consequently, no family will have to pay to have the names of their veterans engraved on the memorial.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The above image is just a simulation of a possible memorial plaza for our veterans. The memorial would consist of a\u00a0physical site<\/strong>, displaying the names of all identified veterans of Basque ancestry who have served in every branch of the U.S. Armed Forces, including the Merchant Marines. (Needless to say, like any other memorial, ours will also have space for additional names as they are identified.) It would also be a\u00a0place of public reflection and remembrance<\/strong>. The memorial would attempt to bring awareness and public recognition of the historical contribution made by a small immigrant community such as the Basques during WWII.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The memorial roster is Not Just a list of Names! It will be a permanent testament to their lives, families\u2019 histories, sacrifices, and contributions to the U.S<\/strong>. The memorial would provide an opportunity to bring together all Basques from different communities across the country in the endeavor of commemorating the \u2018greatest generation\u2019 of Basque origin. In other words, it would promote social cohesion with a strong intergenerational component. In addition, the physical site would be complemented with a digital memorial site<\/strong> to access the veterans\u2019 personal and military biographies. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The memorial is intended to preserve the memory of all veterans of Basque origin who served in the U.S. military in WWII and to serve as an educational tool<\/strong> for all who visit to learn of their sacrifices and unselfish contributions to this country.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Considering the size and the migration pattern of the Basques, this could be one of the first war memorial sites of its kind in the country. We believe that the National Basque WWII Veterans Memorial would become a <\/strong>national symbol of public recognition and pride comparable to the Basque Sheepherder Monument at Rancho San Rafael, in Reno, Nevada.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In summary, the memorial is the vehicle that embodies our mission.\u00a0We have the duty to tell the story of these soldiers and preserve their memory. We must ensure the history of our veterans is never forgotten. For that we need your help. Would you like your club or town to be the \u201chome\u201d of the National Basque WWII Veterans Memorial?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Finding a suitable location for the National Basque WWII Veterans Memorial<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

As we are approaching the end of the research phase, we have started working on a set of criteria to select the best \u201chome\u201d for the physical memorial<\/strong>. Our idea is to inaugurate the memorial by the end of 2026<\/strong>, which marks the 85th<\/sup> anniversary of the United States entering WWII and the 250th<\/sup> anniversary of the founding of the United States. A great context for the American society at large to learn about the contributions made by the Basques during the times of war and peace.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

SELECTION PROCESS<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

All candidates wishing to bid for the memorial should present a brief plan<\/strong>, addressing the following criteria, in time and form. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

What\u2019s in it for the potential bidders?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \n
  1. Become the proud \u201cHome\u201d of the first National Basque WWII Veterans Memorial in the nation.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  2. Become part of a network of local, state and nation-wide civic and military memorials.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  3. Participation of nation-wide commemorations: Memorial Day, Veterans Day\u2026\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  4. Attraction of out-of-town and out-of-state visitors, which can be translated into a potential socio-economic impact for your club and community.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  5. Public and media exposure to Basque culture, history and traditions.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  6. Educating younger generations, Basques or not, about the contributions made by ethnic minorities and emigrant communities to World War II though the Basque Memorial.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  7. Bringing together Basques from different communities across the country in the endeavor of commemorating the \u2018greatest generation\u2019 of Basque origin.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

    Criteria<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    The criteria items are ranked as \u201cRequired\u201d (meaning essential criteria) and \u201cDesired\u201d (meaning an extra bonus criteria):<\/p>\n\n\n\n