Mo “It’s
been a while since we chatted”
Sa “True.
Pop pop has been busy and our paws don’t work well on the lap top.”
Mo “Yea I
keep trying but it never works right. If I could only figure out how to turn it
on. The good thing is at least mom has taken plenty of pictures for us to
choose from.”
Sa “So true
about mom but you will never be able to type. Let’s forget that. What did you
want to talk about this time?”
Mo “Hot dogs?
Mmmmmm.”
Sa “We are
not going to talk about hot dogs. Try and stay somewhat focused.”
Mo “Alright
what about the monument we saw last week. The one dedicated to the humans in
the loud red box on wheels.”
Sa “Oh, that
is a good one. It is dedicated to the humans who fight fires. I think they call
them firefighters.”
Mo “Well
actually I have heard them called heroes. Not firefighters why would they hit
fires?”
Sa “You are
so silly sometimes. Yes, you are right they are called heroes but their job is
to be firefighters. And they don’t actually “fight” like you’re thinking. They
tackle this job with tools of the trade.”
Mo “Oh you
mean like the green snake that spits water in the yard.”
Sa “Umm sure
the hose but much bigger. Do you know the year it was built?”
Mo “No. I
only know that it is old and that the monument is on 100th street
near Riverside Park.”
Sa “I will
give you a bit of a history lesson on it then.”
Mo “Why do I
always do this to myself?”
Sa “What was
that?”
Mo “Nothing,
you were saying history lesson?”
Sa “Ahh yes.
The Firemen’s Memorial in Riverside Park was dedicated on September 5, 1913,
and was formally accepted on behalf of the city by the human Mayor William
Gaynor. The monument was designed by H. Van Buren Magonigle and its sculptures
are attributed to Attilio Piccirilli.”
Mo
“Interesting.”
Sa “Anyways.
This monument is said to have had its origins in the remarks of the Reverend
Henry C. Potter who suggested while there were many memorials to public and
private citizens there were none “to our brave citizens who have lost or will
sacrifice their lives in a war that never ends.””
Mo “Ooo,
Ooo. Did you know that it was originally intended for the north end of Union
Square but ultimately was built in its current location?”
Sa “Very
good. I must be rubbing off on you.”
Mo “I am
glad you are impressed.”
Sa “Let me
continue. the memorial comprises a grand staircase, a fancy plaza, a fountain
basin, and the central monument. Made of
Knoxville marble, the monument is a sarcophagus-like structure with a massive
bas-relief of horses drawing an engine to a fire.”
Mo “Wow. did
you know the original was replaced by a bronze replica in the 50’s.”
Sa “Actually
I did. Did you know that to the south and north are allegorical sculpture
groups representing “Duty” and “Sacrifice”?”
Mo “Well
no.”
Sa “Also did
you know that this monument has twice undergone extensive restoration, once in
the late 1930s and more recently through a $2 million city-funded capital
project completed in 1992.”
Mo “Hmphf
show off.”
Sa “That is
it for this week.”
MoSa “And
for all those humans who like the images here and want to see more you can
visit our moms site to purchase images from the link below.”
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