Cities and towns across the United States erected statues in the 1920s and 1930s to honor veterans of World War I.

As we move closer to Veterans Day on November 11, it makes sense to talk about the “Doughboy” statue that sits in Columbus.

More formerly known, at least in other places, as “The Spirit of the American Doughboy” statue, the Columbus version is slightly different from the mass-produced statue that decorates other town squares. That statue showcases a solider with an arm raised and gun in the other hand.

The Columbus version shows a more stoic soldier with two hands holding the barrel of a long gun as the weapon sits near his feet. He is positioned to look toward the mountains.

According to reports, the artist who did the statue isn’t known. It was started in 1920, made possible in part through donations from school children, and dedicated in 1925.

The statue is made of marble and on a base created from quartz field stones.

This memorial statue lists the names of Polk County soldiers who fought in World War I.