The Victory Tree and Douglas Viele Plaque

Douglas Viele was the first Evansville soldier who died while in service during
World War I. On Decoration Day of 1919, his memory was honored by
an impressive ceremony, and a fitting memorial arranged by the Board
of the Rathbone Memorial Home. Prominent citizens of Evansville, and
several of his comrades in arms, participated in the dedication of a
bronze memorial tablet.

The inscription on the tablet reads:
"To the Memory of Douglas Viele,
the First Evansville Soldier who Died
in the Service of His Country
in the Great War. July 7th, 1917
born April 21st, 1891."

This tablet marks the Victory Oak Tree on the lawn of the
Rathbone Retirement Apartments (formerly Rathbone Memorial Home),
1320 S.E. Second Street
Evansville, Indiana 47713

The 1919 Dedication Photo
Tree in 1919(65KB)

December 1, 1997 Photo
Tree in 1997(39KB)

Comments or Suggestions?
E-Mail:
cdmyers@wowway.com
Chris Myers
Evansville, IN

© 1998 Christopher D. Myers
This page may not be copied or reproduced in
any way without the written consent of the author.

This page last updated on 26 October 1998