March 28, 2024
Local News | Kendall County Now


Local News

Restored WWI cannon rededicated at Sandwich VFW

The restored cannon that’s in front of the VFW building on South Main Street, Sandwich, has long been a part of the city’s history.

It first stood in the city park in downtown Sandwich, being placed there with a memorial plaque in 1934 honoring those who served in World War I. Later, the cannon was moved to its present site.

Todd Latham, Chuck Kania and Harold Dannewitz, who are past or present leaders of the Sandwich Veterans of Foreign Wars and American Legion, took part in rededication ceremonies for the cannon Sunday.

Of the 235 model No. 1906 U.S. Army cannons built, 20 went to Panama to guard the Panama Canal and 65 were used in WWI combat. There are presently 20 of them in museums, and the Sandwich cannon is one of only two that have always been kept outdoors.

Restoring the cannon was a problem, with the crumbling wooden cannon wheels being one of the most puzzling.

Members of the Sandwich VFW and American Legion heard from one individual that the price would be up to $15,000. However, they found a man in Shipshewana, Indiana, who could do the work for just $3,000. Everything is new on the wheels except the rubber that encircles them, Dannewitz said.

It was stated again and again during the ceremony, that a great deal of help and contributions to restore the cannon came from so many individuals, businesses and groups, some donating $5, some giving more.

Larry Nelson and his family gave a substantial contribution in memory of Larry’s dad, the late Woodrow Nelson. His dad served in the 220th Armored Engineer Battalion during World War II, which was a Demolition Outfit. Even though his father seldom talked about his war years, he did tell his grandchildren about being on the coast of France, blowing up two bridges in France, then building pontoon bridges for the U.S. troops to cross rivers all the way to Berlin.

Other contributors mentioned on the rededication monument were F.N. King and Sons, Wright Insurance Agency, Augustine Brothers Painting, and Scott Cryder Sandblasting. It also says “Thank you friends, family and community.”

Dannewitz also mentioned that Jeremiah Miller and Josh Michaelson did the camouflage painting on the cannon, working past midnight to have everything ready for the event.

Dannewitz thanked Phil and Lynn Hoffman for recommending the paint team, Jerry Combs for loaning him a trailer to haul the wheels back from Indiana, and Monty Reiners for recommending a trip to Shipshewana.

During the ceremony, Todd Latham read the names of men from Sandwich and Somonauk who were listed in a DeKalb County newspaper as serving in World War I, a quiet time for those attending who recognized names of long ago.