 |
Dedicated
Sep. 7, 1940
"The Hiker" was the first memorial established in the park.
A plaque placed adjacent to the statue some years later
bears the following inscription:
Erected By The County Of Lebanon, The City Of Lebanon And Lt. A.B. Gloninger Camp No. 91 United Spanish War Veterans To Commemorate The Valor and Patriotism Of Those Who Served In The War With Spain, The Philippine Insurrection And The China Relief Expedition |
|
United States infantrymen during the Spanish-American War were called "Hikers", much as were "The Doughboy" of World War I and "GI Joe" of World War II. The name "Hiker" comes from the nineteenth century use of the word "hike" for a long march under the tropical sun.
Sculpted by Allen George Newman "The Hiker" commemorates the American infantrymen who fought during the Spanish-American War. Fifty-two statues were cast between 1921 and 1956, (possibly at The Gorham Company in Providence, RI) and can be found all across the country.
It is not know at this time who made the acquisition of the Hiker statue. Here too, it is not known who researched the names which appear on the Honor Roll. At this time there is certainly no doubt that the eight men named fell during the period, however, some questions do exist.
Personal research shows that 108 men from Lebanon County enrolled and were Mustered In for what appears to be a six month enlistment during 1898. All eight men on the Honor Roll appear on the list, of which two are shown to be residents of Lancaster at that time, and two that died during the period.
With the Hiker being located in a City owned park, one can assume the eight men listed on the Honor Roll were residents of Lebanon City. But, did the two men from Lancaster relocate to Lebanon? When, if indeed they did, did the remaining six men re-enter service, and when did they fall? Hopefully further research will answer these questions and end the mystery.