Hide Article Text (OCR)
Iron Cross on National Register.Lisa RidgelyRecord Staff WriterWhen some unknown Roswell residents poured concrete over a group of rocks shaped like a German Iron Cross on a Spring River bank, little did they know that more than half a century later, the cross would be listed on the National Register of Historic Places.The symbol can be found in POW/MIA Vest Pocket Park, located on the Spring River’s north bank, off the Spring River Trail near North Pennsylvania Avenue and West 10th Street. The park also contains a piece of the Berlin Wall.Though the cross has been visible for many years, it was only approved for the historic registry last year, said Peg Stokes, volunteer at the historical museum. A sign identifying the cross was placed on a nearby fence about six months ago. That placard includes a photo of the German POWs at work and a brief summary highlighting the significance of the cross.“People need to know it’s there, she said. People who moved here would never know it, would never stop there. They need to know because it’s interesting.From 1943 to 1946, thousands of German prisoners of war passed through a POW camp about five miles southeast of Roswell near OrchardDaily Record • Matthew RoybalAn Iron Cross created by German prisoners of war in 1943 still stands in the old Spring River ditch the POWs helped build.Park. In 1943, about 50 of Cross in particular serves as a those men were put to work on reminder of a time forgotten a flood control project laying and even ignored, rocks, or “riprapping, along It was hidden and forgottenthe banks of the Spring River for about 40. years, it’s beenin Roswell.Their work can still be found on the river banks today, from Cahoon Park to the DeBre-about 20 years ago that they found it, said Elvis Fleming, chief archivist for the Historical Society of Southeast Newmond Stadium area. The Iron Mexico and official city historian. The cross is undated, but was created sometime between 1943 and 1945, he said.The crew made the cross — a replica of the celebrated medals given away by the German military — of their own volition, he said. Though many people associate the symbol with Hitler and the Nazi regime, its history goes back nearly 200 years to the War of Liberation against Napoleon.The German Iron Cross is kind of like a symbol of Germany — kind of like an American Eagle is to us, or something, Fleming said. It's more of a patriotic thing.As time has passed, the POWs, their children and grandchildren have come back to Roswell to visit.“I’m always impressed when some of those German prisoners come here, he said. One man Fleming met was so overwhelmed with the friendliness of the people here that it made him tear up. Now, the cross can be reflected upon by most people without hatred toward America’s World War II enemies.The Iron Cross is kind of a symbol of friendship with the German people, he said.It also serves to remind Americans of that great war.We’ve not had an all-out war since World War II, Fleming said. It’s a reminder of a time when we had an all-out war that involved everybody, not just the military.” ’
Newspaper Details
Roswell Daily Record
Roswell, New Mexico, US
Wed, Dec 10, 2003
Page 2
Full Page
Clipped by
Dale E.
USA 19 Mar 2019
Other Publications Near Roswell, New Mexico
Roswell Daily Record
