Second on the 2nd and Friday Smiles 391

It's Friday and time to join Annie (at A Stitch in Time) along with the wonderful ladies at Friday Smiles.  It's also the day of my Second Look on the 2nd.  Remember, the ONLY requirement is, it must have been published sometime in the past on your blog.

I published this post during AEDM (Art Every Day Month) on November 9, 2019.  Once again, it's a tribute to a great man of peace.  I hope that soon we can return to that same time, or at least concept, where honesty and integrity triumph over lies, dishonesty, denials, and disrespect for our military.  I now give you in its entirety this post I called:

Returning to the Eisenhower Museum, Library, and Boyhood Home

Many of my long time readers know I visited the Eisenhower Museum, Library, and Boyhood Home recently.  Most of my posts and photos from the day I went there are too long for AEDM, but one area had only a few photos.   Since Veterans/Armistice/Remembrance Day is coming quite soon, I thought it would be the perfect time to share this statue of Ike.  To see other posts, go here to see visitor center and gift shop, here to see his boyhood home, here to see the exterior and introductory gallery of the museum (including some fabulous murals), and here to see Ike as a child growing up in Abilene, KS (Kansas).

The 11-foot bronze statue depicting Ike as General Eisenhower stands in the center of the facility.  You might be able to read that he was called the Champion of Peace.

The statue depicts Eisenhower in his World War II "Eisenhower Jacket."  Note the pylons in the background.

The bronze statue was sculpted by Robert Dean, Jr., who created three other statues of Ike.   One of the statues is displayed in Denison, Texas, the President's birthplace, the second on the grounds of the U.S. Military Academy, and the third on the grounds of the U.S. Embassy in London.  The statue in Texas is similar, albeit smaller and Ike isn't wearing his military hat.

The base is made of Georgia granite.  There are five stars surrounding it, indicating his five star general status. It has quotations from Eisenhower's various careers including President of the United States, Supreme Commander of the Allied Expeditionary Forces, General of the Army, Supreme Allied Commander of Europe, and Chief of Staff of the Army.

Since my photos didn't show the quotes like I thought they would, I found them on the internet:

Quotations and Insignia on the Eisenhower Statue Pedestal

SUPREME COMMANDER ALLIED EXPEDITIONARY FORCES
February 13, 1944 - July 13, 1945

"Soldiers, Sailors and Airmen of the Allied Expeditionary Force: You are about to embark upon the great crusade" -- Message to Troops of the A.E.F., June 6, 1944

GENERAL OF THE ARMY
December 20, 1944

"I cannot let this day pass without telling the fighting men...that my fondest boast shall always be: I was their fellow-soldier" -- Address to the American Soldier, February 7, 1948

CHIEF OF STAFF, UNITED STATES ARMY
November 19, 1945 - February 7, 1948

"It is a grievous error to forget for one second the might and power of this great republic" -- Letter to Walter Bedell Smith, November 28, 1947

SUPREME ALLIED COMMANDER EUROPE
NORTH ATLANTIC TREATY ORGANIZATION
December 21, 1950 - May 31, 1952

"The members of this command are of many nations working together ... for the cause that lies nearest our hearts today -- the preservation of peace" -- Statement for British Broadcasting Corporation Series "Atlantic Alliance", February 1, 1952

34th PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES
January 20, 1953 - January 20, 1961

"The quest for peace is the statesman's most exacting duty ... practical progress to lasting peace is his fondest hope." -- Statement on Disarmament Geneva Conference, July 21, 1955

In front of the statue is

a copy of 

The Great Seal of the United States of America.

The statue was presented to the Eisenhower Presidential Library and Museum by the Harry and Edith Darby Foundation in 1985.

The day was so overcast, I had a hard time seeing his face, so I lightened it (rather poorly, I might add) in Photoshop.

I definitely didn't have to lighten these

beautiful flowers surrounding the statue.


Thank you so much for joining me today.  I am most grateful.  

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I encourage you to visit Annie's because she knows how to put a smile on everyone's faces.  And whatever you do, please don't forget to start your weekend off right with a few Friday Smiles of your own.  And remember, if you would like to play along, Annie would love to have you join us. 

However, right now, it's time to link your Second on the 2nd, even if it's the same as your Friday Smiles.  The rules are quite simple and everyone is welcome to join the fun look back.  All you have to do is bring back a post that you are especially proud of, or perhaps one you shared before anyone knew your blog existed.  It could even be a post that is as relevant today as it was when you originally posted it.  Any post, any genre, any artistic endeavor is acceptable.  Then link below (direct links only, please) and Bleubeard and I, along with other Second on the 2nd friends (and maybe even a few Friday Smiles friends), will be by to visit.  Please be aware this link is only open through the 5th, when T Tuesday goes live, so linking on the 2nd is preferred.

I know many of you prefer Mr. Linky rather than Inlinkz, so today we will use Mr. Linky for our direct links.