Journal Entry for Sketch #14
I leave the building and walk down the hill to the gateway by the road. I am reading the pamphlet as I walk. It tells me there are 9 Medal of Honor Winners buried here. I think maybe I am to sketch by one of these graves today. Surprisingly only three died in action. The pamphlet also tells me there is a plaque near the entrance honoring those whose remains have never been recovered. I walk down the hill looking for this plaque, but instead discover a gravestone inscribed with “Medal of Honor”. But, when I read the names from the pamphlet the recipient is not on the list. I decide the least I owe this man is to return and tell Charlie to add him to the revised pamphlet when it is printed again, so I walk back to the Visitor’s Center. But it is closed. I turn around and as I do I observe an African-American man walking towards me. He walks up to me and says, “Are you here to meet me?” I am stunned and do not know how to respond, so I ask him why he is here. He tells me that he is here to day (my last day of the project) to arrange for the funeral of his friend who just died in Iraq. I tell him I cannot help him with this but I am stunned by the coincidence of this last major encounter I have at the site. I go to the other side of the cemetery to look for the Medal of Honor Winners. I see two huge ships docked below in the harbor. I photograph them as a backdrop to the gravestones. A new stone catches my eye:
Arthur A Cidester
Col. USMC
WW II-Korea
Purple Heart-POW
1913-1954
This is the first POW I have seen. The Korean War ended 1953 – did he die there? Then, I encounter another group of Vietnam War dead, 26 in all, all Purple Hearts. I complete Sketch #12 here by the grave of Anund Roak, Sergeant U.S. Army, killed in Vietnam at 20 years of age May 16, 1968 the year I gradated from High School. Nearby I find is the grave of the first Medal of Honor winner listed in the cemetery pamphlet; and, one of only three who died in action.
Herbert C Jones
ENS US Navy
Medal of Honor
Died in Action at Pearl Harbor
1/21/18 – 12/17/41
27 at death
No flags in the cemetery today except at the main entrance as usual. Nor are there many visitors today at the cemetery. The marble gravestones sit stark against clear blue skies drenched in a marble white light. But, I am still intent on finding a soldier who died in WWI to complete the project. I have researched several soldiers who I believe are from this war at the records kiosk and believe them to be in Post Section 8 in the middle of the Southside of the cemetery where I am now. I find the section but the graves are not there. I begin to realize that I am seeing a lot of gravestones in this area that have certain unusual characteristics. They do not have record numbers on them like those from other wars. Nor is the name of war listed on the tombstones. They all have this shield symbol on them with the dead’s name inside. I conclude after looking at a number of gravestones like this that the typical WWI gravestone has a shield on it with only name and rank and/or service dates listed. Confirming my conclusions one says “Died France 2/2/17”.
Gale S. Stephenson
M.T.Co. 3.2.MC
Born 1/11/78
Died France 2/2/17
39 years old a death
postscript
Finished sculpting last sculpture of series on March 19, 2005
Exactly two years after start of Iraq War.
>> Next: End of Series: Poseidon’s Epiphany
10 thoughts on “Rosecrans 14”
The young boy has an elephant spirit guide/totem. He is sitting under the stars pondering his life and is visited by Grandmother Crow and other ancestors. His spirit guide quietly makes space for them to be together.
“Taking Council with the Ancestors”
No wonder this is one of the last pieces the dismembered body parts and cosmic like background makes a loud statement about the futility of all wars everywhere. War as it is in reality not seen through the lens of the ego and denial. War is a blight that changes everything and everyone that it touches nothing is left unchanged. The mermaid is the romantic egocentric concept of war that draws one and all into the destruction tearing apart the bodies and souls of all seduced by the delusion.
“The Deluge of War Drenches All”
“The Thinker Contemplating a Bad Batch of Mushrooms”
This title suggestion was submitted in writing by a person attending the Rosecrans Exhibit at the Louden Community Center in Santa Cruz, CA:
Ann: Last to Die NOT
These title suggestions were submitted in writing by persons attending the Rosecrans Exhibit at the Louden Community Center in Santa Cruz, CA:
Linda: Siren’s Song
No Name: Hide My Heroism; I Am Ashamed Of It.
“Lifes Temptations” The central figure seems to be thinking but I think the other figures could represent choices. The three cows in the upper left immediately reminded me of the witches in “Macbeth”, prehaps advising him to grab power at any cost. The chicken in the basket seems calm and serious, maybe suggesting taking the safe path. The final figure of the dancing elephant seems to suggest having fun and enjoying life. I think the life theme is re-enforced by the sperm motif in the background
“Deception” This one seems to be showing an idyllic tropical setting with a beautiful mermaid. Then you see that there is a dismantled body on this island paradise and the mermaid seems to be covering her ears (hear no evil). This seems to represtent the deception used in recruiting our youth to fight wars for corporations and the rich. They always tell you about the great things like places you will get to go and see, College education, etc… but then the realities of war catch-up to you and most often you don’t get to cash in the benifits and are in fact subjected to horrors that no one should see.
The cloud figures ponder, ‘What will this mother hen do with the playful elephant child and the pensive child? How will she split her time – can the children ever appreciate each other? Will they be buds or lost souls? ” There is no mother with more than one child who avoids the quandry – nor does humanity avoid the qunadry – how will our children get along – they are so different. (Note: somehow, most of them do get along. However we do not seem to learn much from them as those who do not get along lead us headlong into the conflicts we fear.)
“It is mine! ALL MINE!!!!!
I have won the battle for this oasis . . . .this source of life and sustenance in the desert!
My enemy is shattered and I have this peaceful spot in which to rest and become refreshed . . . ahhh . . . peace.