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In 1943, when war news was often bleak, the list of allied causalities long and the outcome of World War II far from certain, the Founders Circle of the Sarasota Garden Club appointed a committee to determine a suitable memorial to honor the men and women of Sarasota County who had heeded the call to arms and were overseas fighting for their country.

Mrs. Edward W. Pinkham who chaired the committee came up with the notion of Honor Parkway; a living memorial of Cocos Plumosas trees on Bayfront Park, south of the Municipal Auditorium to pay homage to those who would be lost in battle and also to those lucky enough to return home.

To raise money for the project, the club held benefits and accepted over $4,000 in unsolicited donations from an appreciative community.

On a bright January day in 1947, nearly a year and a half after the war ended, the club’s hard work was realized and formally dedicated. Members of the American Legion, an AMVETS color guard, the Sarasota High School marching band and grateful citizens joined together to recall the difficult war years, listen to speeches, offer prayers and most importantly to thank and pay their respects to their hometown heroes. Each of the trees was decorated with a green and white wreath.

Master of Ceremonies Frank Evans, a World War II naval officer introduced the speakers. Founder Circle President Mrs. Walter G. Frauenheim told the audience that the parkway would be “a place of sanctity…in our busy little city and that the city and the public (would) assist in maintaining it as such.”

Civic Leader Karl Bickel reminded, “We must as a community never forget that a living memorial involves a keen and sensitive sense of community responsibility.”

Mayor J. Douglas Arnest accepted the parkway for the city and City Manager Ross Windom promised that the city would maintain the parkway and the trees.

Among the bronze tablets unveiled during the ceremony was a plaque with the names of Sarasota High School graduates who were killed during the war. The ceremony ended with a 21-gun salute followed by Taps.

This was Sarasota’s second living war memorial. The Doughboys of World War I had been similarly honored in 1922 when 181 oak trees – one for each serviceman – was planted along Main Street, renamed Victory Avenue. It was said that “their beauty and grateful shade would delight and bless generations long after you had passed on.”

Sadly, the initial flush of patriotism and sentiment waned for both memorials. By the mid-1950s, the Memorial Oaks were said to be standing in the path of downtown development. A battle was enjoined between the citizens who wanted the oaks preserved and merchants who wanted them removed. Friends of Friendly Oaks was formed and fought a good fight, but in the end the oaks were uprooted.

Honor Parkway and its Cocus Plumosas seem to have just been forgotten. There was no hue and cry, no battle to save them. Bickel had intoned at the dedication, “We cannot enthusiastically accept this gift today and walk away and forget it tomorrow.” But that seems to be what happened.

Two of the tall trees and a plaque remain, reminders for only a very few who remember the reason they were planted on that bright January day.

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