Wainwright Memorial Mission Statement:

'To acknowledge the sacrifices and contributions of all our nation's veterans through the preservation of the General Jonathon M. Wainwright Memorial on the grounds of the VA Medical Center, named in his honor and the place of his birth, originally Fort Walla Walla and to support the mission of the medical center providing resources for the benefit of veterans.' 

The  Monument

The renaming of the VA Hospital in Walla Walla, Washington and the creation of the monument to General Wainwright which stands proudly in the center of the Parade Grounds were not only a testament to the man, but a labor of love, dedication, and respect by hundreds of individuals and local organizations from Walla Walla to Washington D.C.

The idea of a monument to General Wainwright and the renaming of the VA Hospital was the brainchild of Walla Walla resident artist Roger McGee.  In 1995, while a security officer on the VA grounds, McGee hatched the idea to coincide with the 50th anniversary of the ending of WWII.  A regionally noted bronze sculptor and Vietnam Veteran, Roger believed a tribute monument to General Wainwright along with the renaming of the hospital was not only fitting but long overdue. Roger contacted local art dealer and former Navy Seabee Jim Irwin and soon a citizens committee was formed and the project was underway.

While Irwin, and other community volunteers were raising funds for the project and McGee began the long process of sculpting the statue, another volunteer, Adele Goss contacted the Washington offices of Congressman George Nethercutt to begin the process of renaming the hospital.  In short order, the congressman's office had the proclamation before both houses of Congress and on Veteran's Day, November 11, 1996, the statue was dedicated and the hospital officially renamed at a ceremony on the Parade Grounds which paid tribute to the General and to all Veterans.   From that day forward the hospital is and will be known as the Jonathan M. Wainwright Memorial VA Medical Center with McGee's statue standing proudly in salute at the center of the Parade Ground.

Recently a new effort has been undertaken by Veterans of Amvets Post #1111 to refurbish and redesign the memorial. Click HERE to read the article on that topic featured in the July 25, 2007 Walla Walla Union-Bulletin.

This is the third military monument sculpted by McGee.  There is one at the state capital in Salem, Oregon depicting a soldier standing on a five foot globe, representing all branches of the US military all over the world.  The second, in Sandy, Oregon represents a life size soldier from the Vietnam War. 

Roger McGee works in his home studio in College Place, Washington located about a mile from the Medical Center.  His works of smaller bronze pieces are prominently displayed in galleries throughout the region.  To see some of Roger's works, please feel free to visit his web site at:  www.mcgeebronze.com  

The Wainwright Monument not only serves as a lasting tribute to Walla Walla's favorite son, but memorializes ALL men and women who have bravely fought to uphold the values and freedoms we all enjoy.  If you would like to honor these brave men and women as a whole or pay tribute to a specific family member or friend who has served our country, you may distinguish them with a bronze plaque affixed to the bricks at the base of the Wainwright statue.  The funds collected for these plaques go directly to the Community Resources Volunteer Services at the Medical Center to assist in the needs of our valued Veteran patients there.  Find out how to become a part of this memorial monument here.  

Our never ending thanks to the hundreds of men and women, business, and community groups from around the country who have already participated in this lasting tribute to one of our country's greatest leaders at the place of his birth.