I just got a new camera on Friday (a Kodak Z650), and was eager to go out and about taking some pictures. It has been raining heavily for the past few days, so I haven't been able to go anywhere. Today it was sprinkling a little, so I ventured out.
The first place I thought I would visit was my city's veterans' memorial. I drive by it many times, it is just two miles south of my house. I got out of my car and walked the brick-paved path to the obelisk that I thought would list the names of those people from Rochester Hills who have given their lives for their country. Instead I find an original poem written in 1997 when the memorial was built. No "In Flanders Fields" for these folks.
Then I walk next to a very large rock with a marble plaque attached to the top of it. Here I think I will find the names of those brave souls. No, on this beautiful plaque were listed the names of the people who paid for this wonderful memorial. Who was on the flagpole committee, what company donated the asphalt parking lot, etc. Things that generations to come will want to know about. "Gee mommy, did you know that the Acme Flagpole Company paid for those flagpoles way back in the late 20th century?"
So, I kept looking for the names of those lost. I finally looked down at my feet and noticed that some of the brick pavers had writing on them. I thought, how odd they would put their names here. After closer examination I saw that there were some veterans names there, but there were also family names, wives names, etc. If you paid for a paver, you could make it out to anyone you wanted to memorialize.
I walked further, and came upon a small memorial garden. Bending down to read the plaque, I was no longer surprised to see it spoke of those who bought and maintained the garden. How lovely of them.
This, to me, speaks volumes about the difference between a Republican dominated town and all others. It's all about the money, and who paid for what, and what money will buy.
I never did find the names of those who died in each of our many wars. No, this town's heroes are the ones who formed a committee to erect a memorial to veterans, and most especially, to themselves.
