These Have Dared Bear the Torches of Sacrifice and Service: Their Bodies Return to Dust But Their Work Liveth for Evermore * Let Us Strive on To Do All Which May Achieve and Cherish a Just and Lasting Peace Among Ourselves and With All Nations
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| Click on These Images to Enlarge Them |
This is the first of our Lonesome Memorials series that is located here in the States. Despite the fact that I have visited the National WWI Museum five times, it is also one of the few in the series I have not personally viewed. It's a poor excuse, but the memorial is on the functional backside of the large complex, away from normal pedestrian traffic. Anyway, in this article I'll try to make amends for my omission. MH
Located on the North Wall of the National WWI Museum and Memorial, the Great Frieze measures 148 feet by 18 feet and represents the progression of mankind and the nation from war to peace. Sculpted in 1935 by Great War veteran Edmond Amateis, each collected figure or grouping of figures is rich in symbolism.
At each end of the frieze is a sword with the Stars and Stripes representing the defense of our country. The story of the frieze depicts the end of the war and the creation of an era of greater peace and amity.
Similar to the new National World War One Memorial in Washington, DC, the frieze tells a story moving left to right with five groupings of sculpted figures.
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| American Soldiers of the War— The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse |
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| The Wounded and Maimed—The Family of the Fallen |
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| Armistice |
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| Welcoming the Returning Warriors |
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| Home: Protected by Justice—Prospects for a Peaceful Future |
The Great Frieze has a number of inscriptions carved into it. The quote at the top of this page serves as a heading for the unified piece. Here are a few samples used in other positions.
- Behold a Pale Horse and His Name That Sat on Him Was Death and Hell Followed with Him.
- Violence Shall No More Be Heard in they Land Wasting Nor Destruction Within Thy Borders.
- What Doth the Lord Require of Thee But To Do Justly and To Love Mercy and To Walk Humbly with Thy God.
- Then Shall the Earth Yield Her Increase ; and God, even our own God, shall bless us.
“In the American army of 1917–1918, there was a spiritual unity, a will to serve, and a readiness to sacrifice that must be kept alive.”
ReplyDelete— Memorial Day address, 1938, Franklin D. Roosevelt
When the public passes the WW1 memorial, they may not know what the intricate details mean. However, when the memorial is observed closer, emotions of sadness and honor are felt. The WW1 memorial stands as a testimony to the sacrifices Americans made during the Great War. The frieze on the WW1 monument reflects that war brings about loss that only humility, mercy, and justice can heal. The memorial may not be noticed by many, but its symbolic power, when observed closely, helps the public have an intimate encounter with the War to end all wars.
My Grandfather, Carl Andrew Brannen, Sr., served at age 19. A Private in the U.S. Marines, 80th Company, 6th Regiment, 4th Brigade, 2nd Division. He entered Belleau Wood on 7/8 June, commanded by Lt. John Overton. He “stacked his Springfield” at Mouzon 11 November, having fought in every battle and skirmish the Marines were chosen to serve. At 5’9” he was amongst the shortest chosen to serve in Pershings Honor Guard. He was raised in East Texas by unreconstructed Rebels, his Uncle Ephraim served with Hoods Brigade from 1862 and walked back home from Virgina in 1866. It never occurred to my grandfather not to serve His
ReplyDeleteCountry in The Great War. When he left Texas A&M and announced to his family back in Trinity County, Texas that he was joining the Marine Corps, his Aunt Polly said: “Thank goodness! I was afraid you was joining the Yankee Army.” Carl Andrew’s memoirs of The Great War are published by Texas A&M Press and authenticated and annotated by Marine Corps historian Peter Owen. Carl would have loved the
care and honor the World War I Museum and Memorial brings to his comrades in arms.
We included a story about Carl Brannen in our old Doughboy Center website. It still can be found here:
Deletehttp://www.worldwar1.com/dbc/brannen.htm
My great-uncle Mario Ruconich was a private 1st class in the 23rd Infantry, that together with 9th Infantry and 5th and 6th Marines composed the honored 2nd Division. He was born in a small island near Istria and had emigrated to USA in 1914. While his 3 brothers were fighting the Great War with the Austro-Ungarian Army he enlisted in the US Army in 1917. He was in Belleau Wood with your grandfather in June 1918 and he was killed in action in Vaux, near Chateau Thierry, on 1st July 1918. Glory to him and to all doughboys !!
DeleteI've been there, and have the frieze pics to prove it! :D
ReplyDeleteFinally I can say that about one of these lonesome memorials.