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| USS Mane-Spanish American War Memorial |
A few days before Labor Day I
enjoyed what may have been the last of the warm Pittsburgh weather
and found myself in West Park, the park on the North side of Pittsburgh near the Aviary. I discovered that there were quite a few monuments in this park. In this new journey, I vowed that I would no longer just walk past them (
Day 5) . I found an interesting looking
cannon which was a tribute to the lives
lost during the Spanish American War and a Civil War Monument in the distance. I decided
to “be patriotic” as Little Golden Books
suggested and explored these monuments, learning about the USS Maine.
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| Civil War Monument - West Park |
Reflection
The Spanish American War Monument is located outside the wall of the National Aviary and is dedicated to the solders who lost their lives on the USS Main. I knew virtually nothing about this war or ship since I am presently decades removed from my high school history class days. Thus, I decided to do what everyone does in this century- I “Googled it.”
The Spanish American War Monument is located outside the wall of the National Aviary and is dedicated to the solders who lost their lives on the USS Main. I knew virtually nothing about this war or ship since I am presently decades removed from my high school history class days. Thus, I decided to do what everyone does in this century- I “Googled it.”
The battle ship USS Mainee was in Havana
Harbor, Cuba when it mysteriously
exploded and sunk on Feb 15, 1898 killing
nearly three-quarters of the crew over 240 men. It was sent to protect the U.S. citizens in Cuba during a time when the Cuban
revolutionaries were revolting against Spain. The exact cause of the explosion
was unknown but many Americans blamed Spain and the war with Spain followed a few months later (USS Main).
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| USS Maine Torpedo Tube |
This interesting looking cannon which I found out latter was a torpedo tube, fueled my interest in this slice of American History. I recommend visiting a
memorial (memorial list ) and then trying to
“Google it”. The new war movie Fury, (WWW II movie with Brad Pit in a tank), is great and
thus if you go see that move, follow it up with a visit to the WWW II Memorial on the North Shore as in Day 5.
Wars absorb many lives, ending some in a flash. At least I can honor those who died by not just walking past
the statute and by taking some time to remember.
Spiritual Reflection
The Lord is like
a father to his children, tender and compassionate to those who fear him.
For he understands
how weak we are; he know we are only dust.
Our days on
earth are like grass; Like wild flowers, we bloom and die.
The wind blows,
and we are gone-as though we had very been here.
But the love of
the Lord remains forever with those who fear him.
His salvation
extends to the children’s children of those who are faithful to his covenant,
of those who obey his commandments! (Psalm 103:13-18)
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| West Park, beautiful sunny day |
Other Sources
West Park http://alleghenycommons.org/
Pittsburgh Memorials http://pittsburghpa.gov/dcp/files/war_memorials_11-11-11_r1.pdf
Spanish America War http://www.history.navy.mil/faqs/faq71-1.htm
Sinking of USS Main http://www.history.navy.mil/photos/events/spanam/events/maineskg.htm
Spanish American War Memorial http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USS_Maine_%28ACR-1%29