blackburn49
1st Class Member
Copper Center, Alaska
Engineer
Posts:1826
Send Message
 | | 05/26/2008 9:53 AM |
|
I have some very moving pictures to post of a Native-American ceremony and funeral for an Indian fallen soldier. These were taken in Colorado and published a few years ago. The American Native people have been among those who have paid the highest price for freedom on the battlefield, being represented in the most recent wars in disproportionate numbers because we have always understood the true cost of freedom and what it really means to love one's country. We have always served our nation without question when called upon, myself included.
Remember that Native people lost their own wars a century and more ago. Yet when it comes to the call of arms, by the nature of our own various traditions there has been no one more prepared to die for his country . . .
| |
| |
|
blackburn49
1st Class Member
Copper Center, Alaska
Engineer
Posts:1826
Send Message
| |
blackburn49
1st Class Member
Copper Center, Alaska
Engineer
Posts:1826
Send Message
| |
blackburn49
1st Class Member
Copper Center, Alaska
Engineer
Posts:1826
Send Message
| |
blackburn49
1st Class Member
Copper Center, Alaska
Engineer
Posts:1826
Send Message
| |
blackburn49
1st Class Member
Copper Center, Alaska
Engineer
Posts:1826
Send Message
| |
blackburn49
1st Class Member
Copper Center, Alaska
Engineer
Posts:1826
Send Message
| |
blackburn49
1st Class Member
Copper Center, Alaska
Engineer
Posts:1826
Send Message
| | 05/26/2008 11:14 AM |
|
THE NATIONAL NATIVE AMERICAN VIETNAM VETERANS MEMORIAL
located in Neillsville, Wisconsin
"The Highground is honored to have been chosen as the home of The National Native American Vietnam Veterans Memorial. Unanimous approval for this decision was given at the annual conference of the National Congress of American Indians held in Denver, CO in 1994.
Dedicated in 1995, The National Native American Vietnam Veterans Memorial is the first national memorial to come to The Highground. Harry Whitehorse, Madison sculptor and WW 11 veteran, created this bronze sculpture. Mounted on a red granite base, the sculpture depicts an American Indian soldier 'in jungle fatigues, holding a rifle in one hand and an Eagle Feather Staff in the other. The names of all American Indians who died as a result of the Vietnam war are etched into two of the four black granite panels which skirt the base of the entire statuary.
The other two black granite panels are inscribed with the following words:
NATIONAL NATIVE AMERICAN VIETNAM VETERANS MEMORIAL
"THE FORGOTTEN WARRIOR"
from: genealogy trails | |
| |
|
blackburn49
1st Class Member
Copper Center, Alaska
Engineer
Posts:1826
Send Message
| | 05/26/2008 5:23 PM |
| Mission Accomplished:
The new west-walkway is completed.
| |
| |
|
flatracker
1st Class Member
Dunlap, TN
Foreman
Posts:141
Send Message
| | 05/27/2008 5:34 AM |
| Thanks for the pictures Ron. Too sad for words. May they ALL rest in peace.
| |
Bob Martin | |
|
blackburn49
1st Class Member
Copper Center, Alaska
Engineer
Posts:1826
Send Message
| | 05/27/2008 10:53 PM |
| I had to go back to my post of January 13 to find where I had first proposed this alteration to the Phase II model railroad system. It sure was cold back then !Â
Posted By blackburn49 on 01/13/2008 4:24 PM Rear of the Kennecott Model Housing Structure facing East
This structure was built in 2000. The Cicely structure beyond it was built in 2007. Neither one has any north-facing windows or access. However, with my decision to add a track loop back to the Cicely model, I will alter this situation somewhat. This photo was taken from the deck. The plan now is to connect this deck with the one you see on the far end of the red building.
You can use these pictures from back then to see how much change has taken place in just the last few weeks. The only part of the plan that remains undone is the second access door into the Kennecott model area that was to be built about halfway down the new walkway. That will come later. I have quite a lot of work to do within the Kennecott model area before I can proceed with that step. What I had not forseen, as I mentioned in a previous post, is just how much this new walkway would enhance the viewing of the new Phase II line. The effect is remarkable and quite a bonus not just for me but for anyone viewing this model railroad.Â
Posted By blackburn49 on 01/13/2008 4:33 PM For years I have used this deck for access to Kennecott models area. It has not been publicly-accessible. There are no handrails and the inside is not properly setup for foot traffic. However, I have decided to extend the walkway along the north side of this building and add an exit door about halfway down this new walkway. What that will do is allow flow-through for vistors who will for the first time be able to view this model from INSIDE the building.
The new four-foot wide deck will have both handrails and an extension of the overhead canopy to protect the walkway and visitors using it. The handrails will extend all the way around and a new canopy will be built over the front (west) end of this structure as well.Â
This is also allow for the attachment of the new Phase II extension rail.
These latest photos were taken today. It was minus 25 F out there.
| |
| |
|
blackburn49
1st Class Member
Copper Center, Alaska
Engineer
Posts:1826
Send Message
| | 05/27/2008 11:30 PM |
| Posted By flatracker on 05/27/2008 5:34 AM
Thanks for the pictures Ron. Too sad for words. May they ALL rest in peace.
The whole series of shots is incredibly moving. I don't think too many realize or appreciate the true and deep sense of patriotism that exists within many of the the Native communities. It is not a matter of "understanding" or "appreciating" the rights contained within the U.S. Constitution. It is the practical matter of actually stepping up and choosing to physically defend one's own country. That often means placing one's own life at risk in some far-away battlefield because it is understood that sometimes this is necessary.   It is a basic concept of action over words that is well understood by almost all Native people. There is a potentially high cost which goes along with such a decision which is aptly documented with these few striking images. This too is well understood and ingrained within the various Native cultures.
| |
| |
|
blackburn49
1st Class Member
Copper Center, Alaska
Engineer
Posts:1826
Send Message
| | 05/27/2008 11:30 PM |
| | (bump) | |
| |
|
blackburn49
1st Class Member
Copper Center, Alaska
Engineer
Posts:1826
Send Message
| | 05/27/2008 11:48 PM |
| | I ran two of the passenger consists today. Both of these were Aristo passenger coaches headed by USA diesel units. Tomorrow I will run a USA passenger consist headed by an Aristo engine. No pictures yet. Too busy concentrating on working out various small problems that arise. | |
| |
|
silverstatespecialties
1st Class Member
Brakeman
Posts:66
Send Message
| | 05/28/2008 5:27 AM |
| Posted By blackburn49 on 05/27/2008 11:30 PM Posted By flatracker on 05/27/2008 5:34 AM
Thanks for the pictures Ron. Too sad for words. May they ALL rest in peace.
The whole series of shots is incredibly moving. I don't think too many realize or appreciate the true and deep sense of patriotism that exists within many of the the Native communities. It is not a matter of "understanding" or "appreciating" the rights contained within the U.S. Constitution. It is the practical matter of actually stepping up and choosing to physically defend one's own country. That often means placing one's own life at risk in some far-away battlefield because it is understood that sometimes this is necessary.   It is a basic concept of action over words that is well understood by almost all Native people. There is a potentially high cost which goes along with such a decision which is aptly documented with these few striking images. This too is well understood and ingrained within the various Native cultures.
Thank you for sharing these photos with us. May these fallen warriors never be forgotten. | |
Warren Willis Jr., President
Bullfrog Las Vegas Railroad
Pioneering Beyer-Garratts in North America | |
|
silverstatespecialties
1st Class Member
Brakeman
Posts:66
Send Message
| |
Torby
1st Class Member
North Chicago 'burbs.
Engineer
Posts:1517
Send Message
| | 05/28/2008 7:09 AM |
| | Your funeral photos are very moving. | |
I did it! 7 hours 25 seconds. I placed 31,083 out of 31,401 finishers.
 
Chicago Marathon You don't have to train or run, I'm taking care of that for you. | |
|
blackburn49
1st Class Member
Copper Center, Alaska
Engineer
Posts:1826
Send Message
| | 05/28/2008 10:47 AM |
| Now that the east deck of the Kennecott model structure is finally accessible due to the new west loop walkway, one can find an excellent view of Mt. Wrangell to the east:
click either photo for a much larger image
| |
| |
|
bryanj
Brakeman
Posts:69
Send Message
| | 05/28/2008 8:18 PM |
| | Are you Native American Ron ? | | | |
|
blackburn49
1st Class Member
Copper Center, Alaska
Engineer
Posts:1826
Send Message
| | 05/28/2008 9:40 PM |
| Posted By bryanj on 05/28/2008 8:18 PM
Are you Native American Ron ?
My father is Athabascan. His roots are right here in the Copper River Valley. When I wrote my historic novel back in 2000, it was based on an ancestor, Nicolai of Taral, which was on the lower Copper River on the east bank, just downriver from present-day Chitina on the west bank. Our closest Athabascan relations are Navajo (Dine') and Apache.
Mom is Norske. | |
| |
|