Local news- Press Release
City of Waterloo IO - City of Waterloo Named American World War II Heritage City 01 January 2024 ( news )
City of Waterloo , state IO ( By Press Release office)
Jan 01,2024
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CITY OF WATERLOO NAMED AMERICAN WORLD WAR II HERITAGE CITY
Only City in Iowa to be Honored with National Park Service Designation
WASHINGTON , D . C . – The National Park Service announced today the designation of 11 communities across the United States as American World War II Heritage Cities , including Waterloo , Iowa .
The
American World War II Heritage Cities Program
honors the contributions of local towns , cities , counties and their citizens who stepped into the workforce to support America ' s war effort during World War II . Only one American World War II Heritage City can be designated in each state or territory .
The 11 newly designated communities are:
Foley , Alabama
Tempe , Arizona
Richmond , California
Wilmington , Delaware
Waterloo , Iowa
Baltimore County , Maryland
Johnson County and Warrensburg , Missouri ( joint community nomination )
Hastings , Nebraska
Boulder City and Henderson , Nevada ( joint community nomination )
Yonkers , New York
Bedford County , Virginia
“Waterloo ' s contributions on the home front , as well as in the field , to the World War II Allied Forces victory is a perfect example for why this national designation was envisioned . I have learned so much about what our Waterloo soldiers , sailors , Marines and citizens did to help win the war . We should be very proud of our WWII history , and that we are the only city in Iowa to earn this honor from the National Park Service , " said Tim Hurley , former Waterloo mayor who helped lead the charge for the designation .
Submitted last fall , the City’s application for consideration ( see attachment ) included a letter from Mayor Quentin Hart that highlighted extensive WWII preservation efforts .
“Today our community supports the Iowa Veterans Museum , Sullivan Park and Sullivan Plaza , a lighted patriotic Veterans Way , service member banner program , celebrations and remembrances , and memorials , all of which showcase the veneration we have for veterans , ” the letter detailed .
World War II permeated every aspect of American life and resulted in a large migration of people within the United States . Individuals and families relocated to industrial centers for good - paying war jobs and out of a sense of patriotic duty . Many industrial centers became “boom towns , " growing at phenomenal rates .
Workers from around the nation had to intermingle with each other and overcome differences to meet war demands , forever changing the cultural landscape of the United States .
Contributions by a city to the World War II home front war effort include defense manufacturing , such as ships , aircraft , uniforms , and equipment; production of food and consumer items for Armed Forces and home consumption; volunteer participation; and civil defense preparedness .
The
World War II Heritage Cities program
was established by the John D . Dingell , Jr . Conservation , Management , and Recreation Act of 2019 to recognize the historic importance of the United States’ domestic involvement in World War II and ensure the continued preservation of a defining period in American history . This year’s additions follow the inaugural designation of Wilmington , North Carolina in September 2020 .
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