This is a postcard of the Altar of the Nation at Cathedral of the Pines in Rindge, New Hampshire. The picture shows Governor Gregg of New Hampshire placing President Dwight D. Eisenhower's wreath at the altar. Roses on the Altar are tributes of every Governor of the 48 States. According to the caption on the back of the postcard, this event took place on Independence Day (July 4) 1953. I wonder whether this caption is correct. This type of event usually takes place on Memorial Day (the last Monday of May), the holiday for remembering the men and women who died while serving in the country's armed forces.
The Cathedral of the Pines was founded in 1945 as a memorial to those men and women who had sacrificed their lives in World War II. The memorial's mission was later expanded to include all American war dead. The Altar of the Nation was built in 1946. The stones making up this altar come from every state and territory in the United States, and include a stone donated from every U.S. President since Harry Truman. There are also stones from many other significant places.
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Hi POstcardy...your link doesn't work from the bottom of Sepia Saturday! It's good from the right column at least.
ReplyDeleteWhat an interesting story of the cathedral.
ReplyDeleteOnce I went to your main page, I found your post & a good & proper one it is for country's 238th birthday. I've known since high school the actual signing of the Declaration was not exactly on the 4th, but it's what we all accept & it's in the 'neighborhood', so . . . oh well. :))
ReplyDeleteWas there many times...spent my summers in Jaffrey Center (on Thorndike Pond); looked at Monadnock every day and frequently went over to Rindge with my grandparents -- what a trip to see these photos! Thank you...
ReplyDeleteI'm guessing it was a Memorial Day Celebration. The Altar story is very interesting.
ReplyDeleteI forgot to mention that the governor reminded me a little of Marlon Brando.
ReplyDeleteI like the idea that each president, governor, diplomat, etc. has to pick out a rock to contribute. They probably delegate the task to someone to find just the right rock.
ReplyDeleteVery interesting. I liked the inclusion of the video.
ReplyDeleteWhat a great idea and memorial.
I wonder why the Star of David is on the Altar.
ReplyDeleteAll faiths welcome. Not everyone is Christian.
DeleteA great idea for contributing the stones. What an interesting building.
ReplyDeleteThe wall has a wonderful patchwork quilt look to it.
ReplyDelete