Empty Nest -Whimsical Journey to Survive and Self Actualize : Day 82 Visit a Memoral 2 (West Park)

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.

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 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).

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)