Posted on 05/27/2024 3:53:04 AM PDT by Kartographer
Talk to anyone in my business and they'll all say the same thing: No matter how long you write stories and put them in the newspaper, you are never really sure which ones are going to strike a nerve.What you think might be a Pulitzer-quality epic might draw only a nice call from Mom, while a simple tale tossed off on deadline causes an uproar, or an avalanche of praise. One legendary former investigative reporter at this paper wrote scores of stories that changed laws and saved lives, yet never did he get more mail than when he wrote about burying his cat.
And so it is with my June column on the amateur photographer, the widow and the eagle on a gravestone.
A quick recap: Amateur photographer Frank Glick was on his way to work when he drove through Fort Snelling National Cemetery early one morning. He spotted a bald eagle through the mist, perched on a gravestone, and snapped shots with his aging but ever-present camera.
Nice shot, he thought.
An acquaintance saw the photo and suggested that he see if the deceased soldier had any living relatives who might want it. Indeed, Maurice Ruch's widow was alive and well and delighted to receive a copy of the eagle watching over her beloved husband.
Glick's friend called me. Nice story, I thought.
Then it began.
(Excerpt) Read more at startribune.com ...
Thank you. From 2011. Great story to revive today.
My Poem that I wrote and that the photographer Frank Glick
The Eagle’s Watch
In a quiet river valley,
Lies a green and peaceful place,
Where warriors come to rest,
Having honorably met their fates.
No more do they stand the watch
Their worthy service done,
They’ve passed their duties on
To other Fathers’ sons.
Yet flying high above them,
On silent wings spread wide,
Soars freedom’s embodiment
And a country’s sign of pride.
The mighty Eagle watches o’er all
And guards their well-earned rests.
For he like they, knows the feel
Of Freedom in his chest.
And though he does his best to guard
The fallen warriors’ sleep.
Still at times he grows so weary
And must rest his wings a-beat.
So slowly he glides his way
To where the fallen rest,
And there he bides his time a bit
Among the honored Vets.
And though he knows no words
Of the valiant warriors’ speech,
Still they communicate
In a way that words can’t reach.
Having communed with those who lie
Among the rows of stone,
The Eagle takes to flight again
And resumes his post alone.
In endless soaring circles,
He surely makes his rounds,
Guarding the fallen heroes
Who make this hallowed ground
Thanks for sharing, made my screen get blurry for some reason...
Nearly every one a “White Nationalist”...
Same here.
Just for clarification, my post was in response to DocRock’s post about the photo making his screen blurry.
Ft. Snelling
Memorial Day
bttt
That picture has been around for a long time. I used to use it for my Facebook pic.
It’s perfect. God Bless our Troops, living and dead…..
Oh, my goodness!
Kudos!!
That is a masterpiece, kart.
Very fine poem!
Thanks! That is a great poem!
I had not seen this photo before, but to me, it was impressive regardless of whose grave that is.
Thank you! I’ve been on the lookout for this picture today. I thought I had saved it. Now I can. It brings peace. Bless you for posting.
What a beautiful tribute to post today! Thank you!
‘Face
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