During the 1930's, the Depression in Germany became very serious.  There was also another problem called "dictators".  Two of the dictators that became a problem for Europe were Adolf Hitler and Benito Mussolini.  Hitler took control of the government in Germany by use of his Nazi army.  By 1938 Hitler had the best trained army and weapons in the world.

In 1941 the Pacific Ocean Islands were being taken over by the Japanese.  The Japanese were trying to push the Americans out of the region.  President Roosevelt promised them, "We will not send our army or naval or air forces to fight in the foreign lands... except in case of attack."

Many Americans hoped to stay out of the war in Europe.  But the surprise attack on the Americans by Japan at Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941 brought us into the war.  Today, visitors can view the U.S.S. Arizona, which was sunken during the attack in Hawaii.  The bombing at Pearl Harbor killed 2,403 Americans.  A sixteen year old, John Garcia, helped rescue American soldiers.  He wrote:
Some were unconscious, some were dead.  So I spent the rest of the day swimming inside the harbor along with some other Hawaiians.  I brought out I don't know how many bodies...Another man would put them in ambulances and they'd be gone.

Americans decided to join with the Allies to help defeat Hitler.  One member of the Allies included the Soviet Union, lead by Josef Stalin.  Josef Stalin tried to stop Hitler and his forces by making a deal to stop the war.  General Eisenhower planned an invasion of the German forces.  President Truman had to decide whether to invade Japan or to use the atomic bomb.  The atomic bomb was developed by Albert Einstein, which he said, "the unleashed power of the atom has changed everything....  and we thus drift toward unparalleled catastrophes (unequaled disasters)."

The war went on until September 2, 1945.  Hundreds of thousands died in this sad war.  We remember the Meriden citizens who died in the war on these two walls.  Now their families can see this monument so that they can remember the people who fought for their country in need.

The Congressional Medal of Honor has been awarded to nine citizens of Meriden, along with many other soldiers who served their country.

You can remember the men and women who fought in this awful war by visiting the chapel at the Mid State Medical Center, East Campus on Paddock Avenue.  There are some photos on the walls of the chapel.

For more information about World War II, visit the web site:
War and Conflict.