Hilton Head, South Carolina

Hilton Head Island, South Carolina is the destination for many summer vacations for families for fun in the sun and on the beaches. It's also the golf destination for many groups with more golf courses then almost anywhere else to pick from. It has though, so much more to offer. On a cool January day hubby and I did some tromping around the Island. This wonderful Veterans Memorial honors Air Force, Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, and Merchant Marine Veterans of all wars from Hilton Head. The memorial reads, "From a Grateful Nation". You're looking down towards The Memorial here with a natural amphitheater in the foreground. Low lands grasses, and walkways surround The Memorial.
As you approach either side there are steps honoring the various services.
The walk way and platform of The Memorial are filled with names in honorary bricks, I assumed these bricks have to be purchased from friends and family. I wasn't able to find anything about the bricks, but in my research found The Park had been dedicated on Memorial Day in 2005. Several of these bricks are particularly intriguing to me. Notice upper left Isaac Calderon a WWII Veteran and recipient of The Purple Heart. Beneath and to the right are JC and TL Hudson. I assume JC and TL to be brothers with the same last name, being listed side by side, and noticing the numbering beneath the bricks of 675 and 676...sequential numbering. I believe the sequential numbering is an indicator of the order the bricks were purchased. I'd like to learn more about these brave men. The two brothers, and The Purple Heart Recipient.
The Park is quite beautiful and while it wasn't hot and sunny during our visit, it was quite moving; perhaps even more fitting that the sky looked so ominous making the area very serene. Though due to the beauty of the park, it's benches and walkways; would think it an awesome place to come in warm weather and spend some time.

Am posting close up pictures for you of each of the services. Here The Merchant Marine, perhaps the branch one hears the least about?

The Coast Guard
The Navy, it's seal probably very familiar to most.
Marine Corps.
Army
And Air Force

This memorial is located in Beaufort County on Shelter Cove Lane near Mall Blvd. Please take time away from the beach, the sun, the golf, and shopping for souvenirs and visit this awesome memorial. It's the least we all can to remember those who've done so much for us.

The only thing I've been able to learn about the brothers is that they were Radiomen, 3rd class aboard The Escape and The Durable Escape. A friend found this picture of The Durable

Other Hilton Head Blog Posts:
Signer of The Declaration
Who's Slacks are These?
Fish Hall and Barkers Field
8 other posts, please use the blog's search this blog box to see all 11 posts related to Hilton Head

Schiller Park Part II (German Village)

In Part I of Schiller Park we learned this park is old, has a very long and rich history, was involved in books being burned, involved politically long before being politically correct came into the picture. This park is much more then grass and trees. You expect grass and trees at any and all parks, but this one has much more to offer and learn and enjoy. You can read Part I HERE
Schiller Park named for Johann Christoph Friedrich von Schiller, a man of enlightenment can to this day enlighten all who visit and take time. As you stroll about the park, walk or run about the park, chase children and dogs about the park..........take time. On the paths that surround beautiful flower beds are poetic phrases and quotes to ponder.

When most people think of William Tell, they probably think about Robin Hood and arrows and apples on peoples heads. However here in stone are some of his words to ponder, to contemplate and to share.
There are many quotes in the park. I photographed a few of my favorites. The date on these 2 quotes of William Tell, 1804 I found interesting. You see Ohio became a state in 1803. So, one year later these important words were written. These words are still quite meaningful today, some 207 years after they were spoken.
Now this quote, "In The Sanctuary of Your Heart with God, the words are not as important as faith." This gave me pause. Perhaps this woman who was executed by her cousin Queen Elizabeth kept her sanity during her imprisonment by having her inner thoughts and faith. Queen of Scots, wrongly accused of poisoning her husband, imprisoned and executed...she had a short a tragic life. Schiller wrote a play, a tragedy about her life.
Joan of Arc, how can one not be inspired when thinking about her and her words? When a young women she lead France forces in The Hundred Years War, was captured and sold to The English and burned at the stake at the young age of 19. Years later, she was found innocent. She believed she was lead by visions from God and followed those visions knowing she was in harms way.

Schiller Park can be a quiet place of contemplation, it can be loud and rowdy with children playing and dogs barking, it can be entertaining when The very popular summer Shakespeare Series starts. How fitting is a free Shakespeare in the park program given the literary comparisons of Schiller to Shakespeare?

Take a picnic with you, your blanket or lounge chair to enjoy Summer Shakespeare in the park. Next Friday, March 11th will be the final post, part III of Schiller Park. See you then.