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Famed Civil War Statues: Visit Before Vandalized


We’re all aware of the current angry trend of tearing down statues, especially those of Confederate generals. Many that have stood the test of time for more than 150 years will end up as piles of rocks due to politically-correct rioters.

Consider visiting these while still standing, if they actually survive the current destruction craze:
National Statuary Hall, Capitol Hill, Washington DC: 100 statues, 12 of them Confederates.
J.E.B. Stuart, Richmond VA
Robert E. Lee, New Orleans LA
Stonewall Jackson and Lee Statues, Baltimore MD
Stone Mountain Memorial, Georgia: The massive carving on the mountainside will require lots of angry axes to destroy.
Lincoln Memorial, Washington DC: Already hit by spray paint. Hey, rioters. Abe was one of your good guys.

Finally, let’s consider a memorial poem about the Gettysburg Cemetery. The sad words by Francis Finch are typical of how most Americans feel about the terrible sacrifices on both sides during the Civil War:
No more shall the war cry sever,
Or the winding rivers be red;
They banish our anger forever
When they laurel the graves of our dead!
Under the sod and the dew,
Waiting the judgment-day,
Love and tears for the Blue,
Tears and love for the Gray.

Q&A: Travel May Help After Being Widowed PDF Print E-mail


Q: My late husband and I enjoyed our retirement years together with many cruises, beach resort visits and other travels together. A favorite of his was visiting sites where he served during World War II, including England, France, Belgium and Italy.

In the two years since he died, I’ve often thought about travel, but just couldn’t bring myself to go. My children and grandchildren have urged me to get out and get going, but I fear the memories will just make me miss him even more.

What do you suggest? MLR, San Diego CA

A: Your grief is perfectly understandable, but now it’s time to listen to your family members. They believe, and so do we, that travel will ease the pain of your loss.

We suggest you first look into group cruises, specifically ones booked by church and other organizations in your community. If you go, you’ll have familiar companions  to share in the activities. Additionally, when you’re ready to get back into the social scene, consider singles cruises for widowed people in your age group.

Another suggestion to consider is volunteer vacations. Helping others could help you to get past your grief. The Red Cross, Salvation Army, Habitat for Humanity and others offer national and international working assignments, ranging from a week to an entire summer.

For example, if you’d like to help in Italy, a country where your husband served in World War II, check on spending a summer teaching English in Rome, Venice and other cities. (www.globalvolunteers.org/Italy)

 
 
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