Memorial Day, Belated

When my youngest gets up for the day very early in the morning (after having been up on and off all night, because that's what my kids do) and the rest of the family is sleeping, I sometimes take him for an outing. On one such morning close to Memorial Day, in a cemetery not too very far from our place, I found some interesting war memorials. First there were two civil war cannons (pictured below.) Both of their limestone bases are inscribed with the following:

Cannon Used in War for the Unity 1861 - - 1865

Loaned by War Dept. U. S. A.

Dedicated to the

Union Soldiers of Owen County

By:

Gettysburg Post No. 93 G. A. R. 

-and- W. R. C. No. 106

July 4th, 1905

The cannons are early model 8-inch Rodman Guns, cast in 1861 by Fort Pitt Foundry in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The muzzle markings indicate that they both weigh over 8000 pounds!

And how 'bout that building behind them?! It's made primarily of geodes- very cool. It bears a wooden sign that reads, "Soldiers Memorial Pavilion". In front of the pavilion are limestone benches, a flagpole, and an American Revolution Memorial cannon. This cannon's base is inscribed:

To Soldiers of the Revolution Owen Co.

In Memoriam

James Brayant

Peter Witham

(Spencer)

Joshua Kelley

Thomas Ashbrook

(Wash. Tp.)

Inside the pavilion itself is a limestone lectern, noting a refurbishing date for the memorial, and a pressed copper relief set in recessed limestone, and mounted behind glass.

Beneath it is embossed "The American's Creed." It reads as follows:

"I believe in the United States of America as a government of the people, by the people, for the people; whose just powers are derived from the consent of the governed, a democracy in a republic, a sovereign Nation of many sovereign States; a perfect union, one and inseparable; established upon those principles of freedom, equality, justice, and humanity for which American patriots sacrificed their lives and fortunes.

I therefore believe it is my duty to my country to love it, to support its Constitution, to obey its laws, to respect its flag, and to defend it against all enemies. William Tyler Page"

Below the creed, in the base of the limestone structure that the plaque is mounted on, the following is inscribed:

Dedicated to the Memory of Those

Who Served Their Country

During the Wars of the United States

—————————

Erected through the Efforts of

The Women's Relief Corps

of Spencer, Indiana

1939

—————————

Panel and Design of Pavilion Furnished By:

E. M. Viquesney, Sculptor.

I looked up "The American's Creed" and learned that it was written in 1917 as a submission in a nationwide contest of patriotism. The contest's goal was to "have a concise but complete statement of American political faith." Page drew from historical documents and speeches such as the Declaration of Independence, the Preamble to the U.S. Constitution, Lincoln's Gettysburg Address, etc. His composition was chosen from over 3000 submissions! On April 3, 1918 it was accepted by the House of Representatives on behalf of the American people. Today it also often comprises part of the Naturalization  Ceremony for new Americans. 

Other interesting anectdotes are that not only was Page a descendant of Carter Braxton, who was a signer of the Declaration of Independence, he was also related to the tenth U.S. President, John Tyler. As well, he travelled to Washington D.C. in 1881 at the age of 13 to serve as a page in the capitol. This kicked off a 61-year-long career as a national public servant, for in 1919 he was elected Clerk of the House of Representatives and after that, Emeritus Minority Clerk. He maintained this latter post for the remainder of his life.

Another "factoid" is that the sculptor of the plaque, Viquesney, is buried in the same cemetery, along with his family. There is a large limestone sculpture of a woman next to Easter Lilies removing a shroud with her arms raised over her head entitled, "The Unveiling" as the family plot marker. (Viquesney is most famous for the statue, "Spirit of the American Doughboy.")

I'm not sure what is more amazing, the age of the cannons, the geode and limestone structure inlaid with brass stars bearing the name of veterans and the conflict in which they served, the overt patriotism of this memorial in these jaded times, the relatively great condition of this memorial given its age, or the fact that there was NO evidence of vandalism at the time of my viewing (despite the lack of things for youth to do in these parts!) Yes, places like this really exist and speak to a former time of widespread national identity and pride. This is what this part of the heartland is largely still all about. Love of God and our country runs deep here and is a way of life for many. Individual freedoms are dearly prized by most. And there remains a strong contingent of patriots whose loyalty is fierce and true, not merely naive and sentimental.