I was emotional and did not know what to expect as I drove into Grandview Cemetery on Memorial Day, May 18th, 2009. I had been invited to take part in a dedication service honoring veterans and the unveiling of a bronze statue in a place called “Veteran’s Circle”. My heart skipped a beat when the statue came into view. Standing tall and draped in black under a bright sunny sky, it stood silently waiting to be revealed. I had no idea what to expect but I felt like I was six years old again and it was Christmas morning. I couldn’t wait to see what was inside the 12-foot-high package. The time came and the cover was released. There they were, in uniform, arms reaching upward toward heaven beyond troubles and war.
Image by Paula Slater Bronze statue by Paula Salter
We stood in awe as we honored them for serving our nation while surrounded by their love. All seven of these heroes are buried in the Grandview Cemetery and represent a long line of service which includes The Revolutionary War, the Civil War, World War I, World War II, the Korean War, the Vietnam War and the Iraq War. Slater was supplied with photographs of five veterans from five of the wars: The Revolutionary War soldier, The WWI Red Cross Nurse, the WWII Pilot, the Vietnam War Sailor and the Iraq War Soldier and was able to personalize five of the people. One of those people was my dear friend Anna Eardley, a WWI Red Cross Nurse. There was a hush, tears and finally cheers for the testimony that the statue brought on that sunny day eleven years ago. It stands today as a witness to all those who have served, are serving or will serve in our military. Visitors to Grandview Cemetery are blessed with their presence.
My friend Anna
Each one of us who stood there on that day have taken away our own memories. For me, the statue represents a thread of freedom woven into the fabric of our great nation and her citizens. Not only that, but it represents neighbors, at home and around the world, who are suffering as we continue to fight for freedom during a pandemic, political unrest and how all of us are doing the best we can to survive and help one another.
I searched the scriptures for a word of hope and found Psalm 133. It is King David’s song about the blessedness of unity. From Peterson’s Message:
133 1-3 How wonderful, how beautiful,
when brothers and sisters get along!
It’s like costly anointing oil
flowing down head and beard,
Flowing down Aaron’s beard,
flowing down the collar of his priestly robes.
It’s like the dew on Mount Hermon
flowing down the slopes of Zion.
Yes, that’s where God commands the blessing,
ordains eternal life.
We all see the world from where we stand and our experiences. We often do not agree. It is hard to understand how Christians and People of God can see things so differently. It is time that we set aside our differences and live by the example of those pictured on “The Ascent of Heroism”. We are different but alike because we are all children of God. We are the threads of freedom making up the fabric of our hometowns, nation and world.
One final word from the scriptures comes from Hosea 12:6 (NIV) “But as for you, return to your God, hold fast to love and justice, and wait continually for your God.”
God bless you on your journey of faith and “Never give up”.
Blessings,
Your Sister in Christ,
Rev. Carol
Thank you Paula Slater for giving me permission to use information and photos from your website. https://paulaslater.com
