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| Georgia Guidestones |
Aligned with our celebration of Veterans Day, on November 11th of each year, at precisely 11:11 AM, the sun's rays pass through the ellipses of five Armed Forces pillars to gloriously illuminate a mosaic of the Great Seal of the United States.
This monument, located in the rather aptly-named town of Anthem, and designed by local resident Renee Palmer-Jones, offers a stirringly visual tribute which honors the service and sacrifice of those who have served in the U.S. armed forces. The five marble pillars represent the five branches of service, and are staggered from seventeen feet to six feet, in accordance with the Department of Defense's prescribed precedence, in descending order from the Army, to the Marines, Navy, Air Force, and Coast Guard.
[photos courtesy of Anthem Community Council]
[photo by Mike Spinelli]
The red bricks within the Circle of Honor are inscribed with the names of more than 750 U.S. servicemen and women, and along with the white pillars and (hopefully) blue sky, combine to represent the colors of America's flag, and the circle itself symbolizes an unbreakable border. Local resident and chief engineer Jim Martin had the onerous task of correctly aligning the memorial with the sun, so that its rays would illuminate the country's seal at precisely 11:11 AM each November eleventh.
[photo courtesy of Anthem Community Council]
[photo courtesy of Anthem Community Council]
[photo courtesy of Anthem Community Council]
[photo courtesy of Anthem Community Council]
Let's hope the sun shines down brightly on the little town of Anthem, Arizona, next Wednesday, so those who are gathered will be able to see this extremely unique monument work its magic.
[morguefile]
Veterans Day is an official United States holiday that honors people who have served in the U.S. Armed Forces, also known as veterans. It is a federal holiday that is observed on November 11. It coincides with other holidays such as Armistice Day and Remembrance Day, which are celebrated in other parts of the world and also mark the anniversary of the end of World War I (major hostilities of World War I were formally ended at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month of 1918, when the Armistice with Germany went into effect).
The United States also originally observed Armistice Day; it then evolved into the current Veterans Day holiday in 1954. Veterans Day is not to be confused with Memorial Day; Veterans Day celebrates the service of all U.S. Military veterans, while Memorial Day is a day of remembering the men and women who died while serving.
To those who died, honor and eternal rest; to those still in bondage, remembrance and hope; to those who returned, gratitude and peace. [inscription on the Illinois Vietnam Veterans memorial]
HAVE YOU HUGGED A VET TODAY?
By the way, looking for something good to read? This past Monday, Redemption, the third book in Jessica Therrien's series Children of the Gods, was released. In case you haven't read the first two books of the series, I'm pleased to announce that book one, Oppression, and book two, Uprising, are currently on sale for the paltry price of ninety-nine cents. Check out this cover:
How's about a little blurb?
Lead Council member,
Christoph, is dead by Elyse’s hand, and Descendants have begun to emerge,
exposing their secret to the world. Some see this as the prophecy come to
fruition, but the prophecy caries a heavy consequence. It was never meant to be
as peaceful as most had hoped.
Humans and Descendants struggle to live together in a world that isn’t ready for such a change. America is divided. Those who glorify the supernatural race believe Descendants truly are the gods they claim relation to. Others see them as a threat.
When Elyse gives birth to the next generation oracle, she sees one final vision—war. The destruction of the country’s major cities, and the end of America as we know it.
After her daughter is born, Elyse finds herself without the ability she needs to predict the future. Desperate to save the world from such conflict, she puts her faith in the hope that Descendants are the key to survival. After all, they have the power to supply a broken society with the means to survive.
Only from the ashes can a new world be born.
Humans and Descendants struggle to live together in a world that isn’t ready for such a change. America is divided. Those who glorify the supernatural race believe Descendants truly are the gods they claim relation to. Others see them as a threat.
When Elyse gives birth to the next generation oracle, she sees one final vision—war. The destruction of the country’s major cities, and the end of America as we know it.
After her daughter is born, Elyse finds herself without the ability she needs to predict the future. Desperate to save the world from such conflict, she puts her faith in the hope that Descendants are the key to survival. After all, they have the power to supply a broken society with the means to survive.
Only from the ashes can a new world be born.
Sound good? Go get it!
Until next time, take care of yourselves. And each other. And to all of you veterans? A very special thank you. Freedom is not free.
I never knew about the Anthem Memorial--it's awesome!!
ReplyDeleteI think it's especially awesome how much thought and effort went into its planning and execution.
DeleteThe Anthem Veterans Memorial is a truly remarkable monument, a sculptural interface with tremendous solar and planetary forces we tend to take for granted. This ingenious installation reminds us not to. Those named on pavers within its Circle of Honor are also conductors of light.
ReplyDeleteAny monument that uses rays from the sun or moon in any way fascinates me, but I find the way this monument is designed to capture the rays on a specific date and time every year to be simply astounding. And meaningful.
DeleteFreedom is, as it always has been, very far from free.
ReplyDeleteThank you to all those who serve. And a hope that some day it will no longer be necessary.
Agreed. One of my favorite quotes from a combat veteran is, "The greatest lesson of war is... No. More. War."
DeleteWow, that's amazing. Never knew such a monument existed in AZ before!
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you find it as amazing as I do.
DeleteI hope for an end to all and any wars.
ReplyDeleteI think we ALL do.
DeleteI have driven past Anthem several times. A new "city" outside Phoenix on the highway to Flagstaff.
ReplyDeleteThis post brought tears to my eyes.. What a special Memorial.
Have you heard of putting a green light outside starting Memorial Day ?
To let all the Veterans know we are thinking of them. Son is getting a light for me tomorrow.
cheers, parsnip
How neat that you've actually driven past this town. It's reeeeeally be neat if you could manage to be there next Wednesday to see the monument with your own eyes. You probably have a pretty good chance of having sun that day. We've had so much rain, I'm beginning to forget what the sun even looks like. But it's plenty warm. Close to eighty degrees today. And wet, wet, wet.
DeleteYes, I have heard about the green lights. Cool idea.
Cheers back atcha!
Fascinating stuff - - and much that I never knew. It's a good thing that the monument is in Arizona (where the sun so often shines). If it were here in TN the day would probably be cloudy......
ReplyDeleteThe Veterans definitely need our hugs and remembrance.......they are a vanishing breed - fewer and fewer every year.
I'm very familiar with Arizona but never heard of Anthem. I can see - from the above comment by Angryparsnip - that it's another one of the many new cities that cropped up (or popped up.....).
I hear what you're saying about the clouds in TN. We've had so much rain here, I'm beginning to forget what the sun looks like. But it's very warm. Back to shorts and tee shirt today.
DeleteWow, it seems like such a simple construct to look at, but when the sun's rays passes through the ellipses, it truly becomes a beautiful monument.
ReplyDeleteExactly! Well-said.
DeleteIt's nice to know that we have maintained a day to remember all people who served past and present... I am eternally grateful for these people who faught for my freedom. I hope we always remember and have monuments that help us remember even when it's not Veterans or Rememberance day... wonderful post Susan xox ♡
ReplyDeleteYou're right. In a way, it's a shame we even need to have a day marked on the calendar to honor our veterans, when they should be honored EVERY day.
DeleteHi Susan - I love this and thanks so much for posting - what a great monument: Stonehenge in the 21st Century.
ReplyDeleteI've got a post for Remembrance Day - the 11th - and this weekend there will be services, as they moved things to the nearest weekend ... I guess as time passes that's the right thing to do. But perhaps making us stop in the middle of a working week - might be a better reminder ...
We all need to remember and continue to do so now ... for those still serving today, and those who have served, or who lost their lives ... their families too ... thanks for posting - Hilary
Hi, Hilary!
DeleteYes... Stonehenge for the 21st century... I like that!
I'll try to check out your Remembrance Day post, but it might take me a few days to get to it. My brother is coming to visit in a couple days, so I may not be on the computer very much.
Take care. Cheers!
I have great respect for our veterans. I don't have much respect for our government which does not take as good care of our veterans once they return home.
ReplyDelete
DeleteI agree with you. What is wrong with our government ?
Many of the Veterans from Phoenix are coming down to Tucson in hope of some sort of help.
I have a lot to say (and have said) on this subject but this is not my blog or comment.
Unfortunately, the government doesn't have a very good track record when it comes to following through on the promises made to our servicemen and women. Talk is cheap.
DeleteGayle, may not be your blog, but you're always welcome to say your piece here. :)
Never knew such a monument existed either. Awesome indeed. Freedom never comes free, sadly.
ReplyDeletePerhaps if freedom DID come free, we wouldn't cherish it as much.
DeleteWhat a spectacular monument to honor those who served!
ReplyDeleteBTW, The Retired Man, a veteran, is going to hit every restaurant next week that is going to give a free meal to those who served. Ne loves being served.
DeleteGood for him! A number of restaurants around here offer freebies, too, but there are so many vets around, the wait to get into any of those places usually isn't worth the trouble. So Smarticus will just have to settle for ME "serving" him. :)
DeleteOur remembrance day is November 11th. On the eleventh hour of the eleventh day, of the eleventh month, we all stand still to remember.
ReplyDeleteThat's the way it was done when I was in school, but I honestly don't know if students still stand and observe a moment of silence. I hope so.
DeleteI want to see the sun shine through that memorial on Wed. Wow - what a unique well thought out tribute. Excellent post. Indeed - remember and salute. Cheers to your better half and for his service. Take care
ReplyDeleteMe, too! I think that would be sooooo cool!
DeleteHave a super weekend.
I've seen that somewhere before...it is remarkable and very cool.
ReplyDelete11:11 Why do I always see those numbers?
Yeah, it is pretty remarkable and cool.
DeleteI don't know why you keep seeing those numbers, but it's supposedly a very common experience. One of our daughters-in-law freaks out about how often she sees it, and is sure that it means something.
The Anthem memorial is amazing. We can't thank these servicemen enough, in my opinion. They gave all they had to give.
ReplyDeleteAgreed. All gave some; some gave all.
DeleteWow, that's a very magical effect. Thanks. :-)
ReplyDeleteGreetings from London.
I think it's magical, too. You're welcome. :)
DeleteGreetings back atcha.
Such an amazing monument, congrats to the designer and builders. I love all the local celebrations for Veteran's day. It's so heartfelt, and while it seems so little, I do think the appreciation is there, at least for most of the people. It would be nice if those in government would do more than give it lip service.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations to Jessica too, her book sounds exciting!
I always loved seeing the grinning old-timers in Veteran's Day parades. So humble, and looking semi-overwhelmed by the appreciation being shown to them. Now... my hubby and I ARE the old-timers. Funny how that happens. :)
DeleteI agree about the lip service. Talk is cheap.
I do remember the Georgia Guidestones from a previous post, but I'd never heard of the monument in Arizona until I saw somebody on Facebook share a picture of it (maybe it was you...I can't remember).
ReplyDeleteNope, I don't think I posted a pic of this monument on Facebook. Must have been some other brilliant person. HA! :)
DeleteStunning pictures with the sunlight. I haven't heard of this monument before, but I'd love to see it.
ReplyDeleteI'd love to see it, too. I'm sure pictures don't do it justice.
DeleteAwesome photos. Thanks for sharing about these monuments.
ReplyDeleteThanks. I'm glad you liked it.
DeleteI had never heard of this monument before now. What a wonderful tribute it is to those who have served!
ReplyDeleteAgreed. I think it's a one-of-a-kind monument to our veterans.
DeleteWow, that's simply amazing. The amount of work it would take to ensure the light passes through at that exact time is mind-blowing. Take heed, Denver (after our latest blog post), THIS is a work of art. And meaningful.
ReplyDeleteYeah, you're right. The amount of precision required to make this monument work is pretty astounding,
Delete(Not that YOUR bear peeking into a window isn't "art"...)
Great monument, enjoyed reading the details about it, lovely post Susan :)
ReplyDeleteThanks, Aunt Mary. I'm glad you enjoyed it. It was good to hear from you again. :)
DeleteNovember 11 here is Remembrance Day, we don't get a holiday, but there is a two minute silence at 11am for everyone to stop and remember those who fought for us. It's also my son in law's birthday.
ReplyDeleteA period of silence to reflect on the meaning of the day is very appropriate. I hope our schoolchildren are still being taught of the significance of the time set aside for remembering. It can be difficult for people to properly "remember" something they never experienced or learned about.
DeleteIt's a cinch you'll never forget your son-in-law's birthday. :)
Wow, I never knew about this monument. How amazing! And beautiful. I would love to see the sun shining through it someday.
ReplyDeleteI'd love to see the sun shining through it someday, too. (Heck, with all the rain we've had here, I'd love to the see sun shine...period.)
DeleteI haven't heard of that memorial before. I bet it would be amazing to see, especially when it lines up with the sun. Amazing.
ReplyDeleteI bet it would be amazing to see, too. Maybe some day...
DeleteWow that's a beautiful monument! We have something similar in South Africa, but instead it's a building called the Voortrekker Monument. (It's a monument to our pioneers.)
ReplyDeleteThe Voortrekker Monument, huh? I'll have to look it up! Thanks.
DeleteIt's time for me to call Grandpa and tell him thanks. =) Thank you for introducing me to the monument.
ReplyDeleteSounds like a great idea! I'm sure your grandfather will appreciate it.
DeleteYou're very welcome. That monument is too cool NOT to share.
That's an amazing and unique monument -- and touching way to commemorate our veterans. Thanks for sharing! I was not familiar with it.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you found it to be as amazing and unique as I did. Like I told Crystal, it was too cool not to share. It was my honor.
Delete