Henry Ward Beecher (1813-1887)

For the past year I walk past this monument and haven’t had the time to stop. But today I decided once and for all to find out more about this monument. This monument is located in Cadman Plaza by Johnson Street. It is a male standing and next to it is a female and two children. The inscription reads Henry Ward Beecher / 1813-1887 the grateful gift / of multitudes of / all classes creeds / and conditions / at home and abroad / to honor the great / apostle of the / brotherhood of man. I found out that Henry Ward Beecher was a White American abolitionist, speaker, minster and writer. He opposed slavery and had mock auctions to help the slaves. As a minister, he helped spread the word with other churchgoers on freeing the slaves. He then helped raise funds to supply weapons to others who opposed slavery. “The rifles became known as “Beecher’s Bibles” because they were shipped in boxes labeled “Bibles.” I am glad I took the time out to stop and appreciate his accomplishments. A great man who helped create a better society.

Monica Prado

www.biography.com/people/henry–ward–beecher-9204662

This beautiful little display that looks like a garden is located at the Doughboy Park in Woodside, Queens.  There is an arrangement that looks like a garden with little flags and pictures for each fallen Benghazi heroes along with a plaque holding the pictures of two on-duty NYPD Officers Rafael Ramos and Wenjian Liu who were killed as a revenge for the death of Eric Garner and the shooting of Michael Brown.

The first Benghazi attack was on September 11, 2012 by members of Ansar al-Sharia resulting in the attack  of “…American diplomatic compound in Benghazi resulting in the deaths of U.S. Ambassador to Libya J. Christopher Stevens and U.S. Foreign Service Information Management Officer Sean Smith.  On September 12, 2012, the group launched a mortar attack against a CIA annex approximately one mile away, killing CIA contractors Tyrone S. Woods and Glen Doherty and wounding ten others.”

When I first saw this it caught my heart, I felt saddened to know that these heroes and officers died in such an unjust way.  Officer Ramos and Liu were just doing their job and had no connection with the incidents that happened with Eric Garner and Michael Brown.  The attack towards the American diplomatic compound and CIA annex was wrong.  By having this little place as commemoration to remember them by gives a sense of peace and honor for these wonderful individuals.  May they rest in peace!

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2014_killings_of_NYPD_officers

http://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/local/Slain-NYPD-Officer-Rafael-Ramos-Funeral-Mayor-Bill-de-Blasio-Vice-President-Joe-Biden-286920041.html

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2012_Benghazi_attack

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_fatalities_and_injuries_of_the_2012_Benghazi_attack

This beautiful Theodore Roosevelt Rough Rider Statue is located in Oyster Bay, New York. Theodore Roosevelt is on a horse which stands on a plate.   It was dedicated on October 29, 2005 for the Centennial Project of the Rotary Club.  The sculptor was named Alexander Phimister Proctor.

I loved the way the president was placed on top of one of the things he loved the most his “horses”.  He was a rancher and his family loved horseback riding.  When President Roosevelt was in the White House, he gave invitations to have guests ride along with him.   Such a great President!

https://www.presidentusa.net/trstatueoyster.bay.html

https://www.whitehousehistory.org/theodore-roosevelt-familys-horses

On the corner of 56^th Street and Woodside Avenue is a park which displays a beautiful statue representing the Veterans whom fought in World War I? The names of the first responders are inscribed on a plaque resting at the bottom of the statue. Below the bronze statue is an inscription stating the phrase “Lest We Forget”. This statue was unveiled in 1923 on Memorial Day.

In an article in the New York Times written by Rich Schapiro, Ed Bergendahl, indicates the term Doughboy having an important meaning. Ed Bergendahl states, “…the term doughboy was the nickname British soldiers gave American GIs in the first World War a nod to the oversized round buttons on the American uniforms that reminded the Brits of the doughboy cakes so popular at home.”

The statue is beautiful and caught the essence of a soldier.   What made this memorable is how a former navy seaman takes the time out to educate and inform visitors. It is wonderful to know that there are people such as Ed Bergendahl who reminds us of what these honorable men did for our country. This place of remembrance reminds us of whom fought in the war but gives us an opportunity to remember and appreciate them for it.

http://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/veteran-guardian-angel-wwi-shrine-article-1.2003501