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Walter P. Reuther Memorial Dedication
October 12, 2006
text & photos by Region 8 Webmaster John Davis

On October 12, 2006, the International Union UAW and the city of Wheeling, West Virginia came together to dedicate a memorial to one of labor’s greatest leaders and one of Wheeling’s favorite sons. The Walter P. Reuther Memorial was dedicated at the Heritage Port Upper Plaza along the Ohio River in Wheeling. Famed UAW President Walter Reuther was born in Wheeling on September 01, 1907 and went on to be a driving force in organized labor and is credited by many to be the father of America’s middle class.

The ceremony was held in conjunction with the UAW Region 8 Civil Rights Conference and was attended by over 40 members of the Reuther Family including Christine Reuther Richey, the younger sister of Walter Reuther. Also participating in the event were 450 8th grade students from Ohio County, West Virginia. West Virginia’s eight graders study the state’s history, with the life of Walter Reuther being incorporated into the curriculum. The entire 8th grade class of the county had been invited to take part in this historic event. During this week members of the Reuther family had been visiting area schools and telling the story of Walter Reuther and his father Valentine Reuther.

Leading the proceedings on this brisk fall morning were UAW International President Ron Gettelfinger and UAW Region 8 Director Gary Casteel.

The idea for the memorial came from Lima UAW member Tom Barton who on a trip to Wheeling a few years ago discovered little recognition for Walter Reuther in his birthplace. He spoke to UAW Region 8 Director Gary Casteel about the need for a memorial to Reuther in Wheeling and he took the idea from there. Director Casteel discussed the matter with the UAW International Executive Board and then contacted Wheeling Mayor Nick Sparachane. The mayor put the UAW in contact with Hydie Friend, executive director of the Wheeling National Heritage Area Corporation (WNHAC) who has spearheaded the effort to preserve the history of Wheeling in displays and memorials along the waterfront area of the city. “Wheeling has a long labor history and not all of it was adversarial,” Hydie Friend states. “Walter Reuther and his brothers learned from their Father Valentine Reuther who was a driver for local brewery who supported the union cause and social activism all of his life. Walter Reuther went on to help create the middle class in America and it is very fitting for the city of Wheeling to join the UAW in presenting this memorial.”

The memorial features a seven foot bronze statue of Walter Reuther and sits atop a granite pedestal inscribed with the famed Reuther quote “There is no greater calling than to serve your fellow man. There is no greater contribution than to help the weak. There is no greater satisfaction than to have done it well.” The statue is also flanked by placards that tell the story of Walter Reuther’s rise within the UAW and his work for America’s working class families. The granite pedestal was ordered through Kurtz Monument Company in Wheeling, located about a block away from Heritage Port. The pedestal was carved by a United Steel Workers local union in Pennsylvania.

The centerpiece of the memorial is seven foot bronze statue of Walter Reuther created by Zanesville, Ohio Artist Alan Cottrill. The statue is a master piece and captures the essence of the man who inspired the labor movement.

The program began with an introduction by WNHAC Director Jeanne Finstein, followed by a welcome from Wheeling Mayor Nick Sparachane. West Virginia Congressional Representative Alan B. Mollohan the addressed the crowd and expressed his gratitude to both the UAW and the Reuther family for their part helping develop America’s middle class. “There is a strong wind blowing behind us this morning, just as Walter Reuther was a strong wind that blew across the American landscape to blow away the injustices to working people,” Mollohan stated. “How proud we are that Walter Reuther is our homegrown hero, whose work would not only affect the citizens of his generation, but also that of generations to come.”

UAW Region 8 Director Gary Casteel spoke next recognizing UAW Tom Barton and UAW Region 8 CAP Representative Jim Rogers for their work in bringing the event together. Jim Rogers worked with Hydie Friend, executive director of the Wheeling National Heritage Area Corporation to see the project through. “We appreciate the people of Wheeling for embracing this project and helping us bring it together,” Director Casteel stated. “Today we find ourselves in battles not unlike those Walter Reuther fought so many decades ago. I don’t not believe that President Reuther would not want us to stand on his legacy, but would demand that we step forward and write our own legacy.”

Director Casteel then introduced the current president of the UAW, Ron Gettelfinger who came forth to address the crowd. “To all our distinguished guest, including the Reuther family, our elected officials here in West Virginia and the city of Wheeling, and especially the students of Wheeling who have turned out for this event,” President Gettelfinger stated. “I know these students have been learning about Walther Reuther in their classes and we hope you take away from this celebration a heightened sense of purpose for your own life and a commitment to your ideas for building a better world. If there is one person’s life who can provide you with that inspiration it is Walter Reuther. He taught us that we stand tallest when we stand together. His worked opened doors and helped build the middle class in this country. Walter Reuther took a huge role in the civil rights struggle in this country and our long journey for dignity and justice for all is not over yet. Today we continue Walter’s efforts to make certain that all people have an equal opportunity for decent jobs, education and health care for all. Walter Reuther’s words still ring true today. 70 years after Walter Reuther and coworkers were beaten at the “Battle of the Overpass” in the struggle for union representation at Ford, we are still fighting those same battles today. To the young people in this crowd, may I remind you that today you can accomplish so much more when you stand together and don’t fight alone. That is what President Walter Reuther learned from Valentine and Hannah Reuther. We are proud to honor these values today and proud to dedicate this monument which stands for the same West Virginia values for years to come.”

The final speaker for Christine Reuther Richey, sister of Walter Reuther and daughter of Valentine and Hannah Reuther. “I am humbled by this event and so grateful for it,” Mrs. Richey stated. “I am the surviving member of the Valentine and Hannah Reuther and on behalf of the entire Reuther extend our thanks to the Wheeling National Heritage Area Corporation, particularly Hydie Friend, the UAW and the city of Wheeling for this event. My father and mother taught us to work hard for justice, peace and the brotherhood of man. It meant living the golden rule every day. You are wise to honor Walter here today because he was a man ahead of his time. He was a man of ideals and actions and wanted to make this a better world for all of us. Walter saw the labor movement as an instrument of change and was a pioneer on the idea of civil rights, protecting the environment and justice for all workers. He was a citizens of the world and each and everyone one of should continue to work on these very important issues. Thank you all.”

Concluding the service was a benediction by the Rev. James A. O’Brien. The Reuther family were devote members of the Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church in Wheeling and religion was an important part of their daily lives and played a role in shaping the ideals and principals taught to their children by Valentine and Hannah Reuther.

The service was concluded by the crowd singing in unison “Solidarity for Ever” the UAW’s theme song.

The words and deeds of Walter Reuther inspired a movement, a generation and a nation. His ideas and principals are just as relevant today as they were all those years ago. May we never forget the example that has been placed before us and may we as working class people pick up the gauntlet of justice and carry it as proudly today as Walter Reuther did during his life time.
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