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Tag Archives: monument

Unique dedications in Iceland

06 Tuesday Sep 2016

Posted by laceduplutheran in Travel

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eruption, Iceland, monument, volcano

Iceland has some unique things, as I’ve mentioned in the past.  Today I want to focus on one in particular. This:

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It’s a “monument” in the ground in a park, dedicated to the memory of a a huge volcanic eruption.

That’s not something that you see just anywhere.  Of course, Iceland is a volcanic island, so it would make sense that you’d see such a monument here.  Still, pretty neat.

Kilns

17 Tuesday May 2016

Posted by laceduplutheran in Travel

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Canoe Creek, industry, kilns, monument, park, Pennsylvania, USA

We hiked our way up to the lime kilns at Canoe Creek park.

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These are what’s left to the high production plant that was here.  It was a plant that reached high into the sky and billowed out smoke even higher.  This now-peaceful place was once the spot of a great deal of industrial work, with humanity stripping away the earth of its resources, transporting it on rail lines and burning.  Now these kilns stand as monuments and reminders of what once was.

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I can only imagine the working conditions – hot, tiring, and for what would be pennies a day.

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At some point in the future, places like this will crumble and be forgotten.  Sometimes I wonder if monuments are to meant to be a reminder of the past or a warning for the future.  Of course the answer is both.

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Paradox and Monuments at Dachau

01 Tuesday Mar 2016

Posted by laceduplutheran in Travel

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Dachau, Germany, monument, paradox

Dachau is one of those places that is a paradox.  You are glad you are there to experience it.  And at the same time, you’re extremely disturbed by what you are experiencing.  There are many people, yet it’s mostly quiet as everyone tries to process the emotions that are running ramshod over them.  It’s ground that has become a memorial and at the same time it is a memorial, a type of “sacred ground,” because of the atrocities that happened there.  The grounds are typically very full of people.  Yet it feels empty.

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The camp has several monuments on the grounds.  This monument needs no words.

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Other monuments need a bit of explaining.  Like this one.

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It is a monument built in the 1960’s.  It shows the patches the prisoners would wear to identify which prisoner group they were a part of (you can see the chart at the bottom of this post).  There is some controversy with this monument.  Apparently, it doesn’t recognize all who were prisoners here.  Groups like gypsies are left off of the monument.  There were other groups mentioned, but unfortunately I can’t remember which groups.  Regardless, it takes time to deal with the atrocity – really it takes time, patience and God.

Cemeteries Tell Us Many Things

16 Monday Mar 2015

Posted by laceduplutheran in Church, Finland, Travel

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Finland, Helsinki, Hietaniemi cemetery, Mannerheim, monument

Heitaniemi cemetery, Helsinki, FinlandCemeteries tell us a great deal about a culture and a society.  In some ways they are better than books or speeches because cemeteries convey the ideas and values of a culture in a way that is unique.

Heitaniemi cemetery, Helsinki, FinlandWhen you visit Hietaniemi cemetery in Helsinki, you discover several things.  First, this is a country that places a high regard for its military deceased.

Heitaniemi cemetery, Helsinki, FinlandWhen we were there, there were many wreaths laid at the markers and tombs, especially for military figures.  These wreathes are large and hard not to notice.

Heitaniemi cemetery, Helsinki, FinlandSecond, as much as Finland likes to think of itself in terms of a country and culture that values equality above all else, the idea goes against human nature.  The tomb of Mannerheim expresses this idea best.  Mannerheim can be considered a type of national hero of Finland, maybe the best known Finn to have lived.  His tomb stands apart from everyone else and is large and in charge.

Heitaniemi cemetery, Helsinki, FinlandThird, Christianity is still important.  Granted this is a church cemetery, but then again, just about all cemeteries are run by the church – it’s enshrined in Finnish law for the church to provide this service.  I think the church makes the most of this in a positive way – the care and concern shown for the deceased in the cemetery is incredible.

Heitaniemi cemetery, Helsinki, FinlandFourth, at the heart of the cemetery stands a chapel.  It sits silently and is only used for funerals.  It’s large, stands tall and is surrounded by beauty.  This is also true in Finnish society in general.

Heitaniemi cemetery, Helsinki, FinlandLastly, the effort to enshrine equality, with the exception of figures like Mannerheim, are all around.  The above monument lists the names of all the soldiers who died defending Finland during WWII.  It’s quite impressive.

Monument to the War of Independence, Tallinn, Estonia

26 Thursday Feb 2015

Posted by laceduplutheran in Travel

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Estonia, independence, monument, Tallinn, war

As we made our way to our hotel we passed by Independence Square – a location we would pass by multiple times during our stay there.  This turned out to be pretty neat actually.  We got to see this square at random times of the day – both day and night.

monument to the war of independence, Tallinn, EstoniaOne of the neatest things at the square is this beauty – the monument to the War of Independence.  Here’s a bit of history from the plaque next to the monument:

monument to the war of independence, Tallinn, EstoniaThe monument is in dedication when Estonia gained independence in 1920.  The monument was completed in 2009.  And yes, the monument lights up for a really cool effect.  So much symbolism.

monument to the war of independence, Tallinn, EstoniaNext travel post: Christmas market.

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laceduplutheran

laceduplutheran

I believe that God, church, and theology are approachable, enjoyable, and relevant for everyone. I write about this a lot because people need to hear it. So many people feel lost, hopeless, alone, and are searching for identity and meaning. I'm an ELCA Pastor (Lutheran) who has a background in politics, business, and the non-profit worlds. I take churchy theological ideas and words and communicate them in everyday language that people can understand, in ways that relate, and show that God, church, and theology matter a great deal. Oh, and it doesn't have to be boring either - mostly because it's the best news ever!

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