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....memorial ~ sacred sunday


The Peaceful warrior greets travelers... "There must be those who, loving peace, will fight against aggression to preserve that peace....there is no contradiction in this. As long as such warriors are needed, The Peaceful Warrior honors those who step froward when asked to do so."
~ dennis smith...artist.



Mt. Shasta

If you're traveling north on Interstate 5 between Weed and the Oregon border,

you might notice a small highway sign telling you to turn left
200 feet ahead for the
Living Memorial Sculpture Garden...


If you've been on this highway you know that it a barren stretch of road made beautiful by the constant presence of Mt Shasta covered in snow way off in the distance.

Any greenery is either sage or tumbleweed sort of plants with a scattering of high plains pine trees.

It's pretty desolate.....
the Gardens can't be seen from the road.

So I don't think many travelers make the left hand turn....

.......the idea of heading off into the sagebrush
on a lonely stretch of highway feels a little scary.

But if you feel a strong desire and
do take the time, and make the turn, you will be greeted by the first...
approximately 15',16' high spirit figure called
Peaceful Warrior



Follow the road and you will come to a parking area, porta potties, a Memorial Wall and two paths...one toward the Chartes' Labyrinth and one for the sculptures.....

Taking the path towards the sculptures, which still can't be seen in spite of their height, takes a leap of faith especially if you're a woman....
but the energy of the place sort of pulls you along if you're the least inclined.



There is a peaceful silence there.
It is a powerful place and a holy place.


You can feel that people have experienced strong emotion here....
rage, sorrow, hope, fear...


I think people have raged at the silence here, shed tears...
It's a hidden place, much like our veterans, and their wounds from war...
both mental and physical.....
are hidden away...


If we could see the damages of war....really see and live with war,
as we ask our military and their families to do,
I wonder if there would be less war??


...more figuring it out??

4 comments:

Tammie Lee said...

I think you have a wonderful point that should be considered. If we truly saw the rages of war, I sense we would do things differently. This photo is wonderful with the two paths it offers!

Natalie said...

Great post, Julie. I love the photo, it is breathtaking. x♥

Sue said...

What a very deeply spiritual place this has to be. You are fortunate to be close enough to visit it. Thanks for posting about it.

julie said...

Thank you for sharing your thoughts with me...
I stop here every time I travel to Oregon....It pulls me in...For me, it puts a face of sorts to war, and gives me a respect and gratitude for the men and women who go to war for me...can you imagine??...our military put themselves into such horror for us!!
During Vietnam we could see the faces of our soldiers on the evening news...it was real and in our face...now even war is done behind closed doors allowing us to disconnect....this place opens my heart to the warrior and reminds me that each minute of the day someone is putting their life on the line for me...It's a big deal!! No matter how I feel about a particular conflict that sets war in motion the warriors deserve my prayers...hug, hug

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