Dynamic Subspace

Tag: memorial

Paying Respects to Townsend Harris, Founder of City College of New York and First US Consul General to Japan

Yesterday, Y and I visited Townsend Harris‘ grave in Green-Wood Cemetery yesterday. The tree behind it stretched out its branches to shade it from the crisp mid-afternoon sunlight. Harris is known for being the first Consul General from the United States to the Empire of Japan and he founded the school that would become the City College of New York and the cornerstone of the City University of New York (CUNY). His gravesite was renovated in 1986 by Japan and it retains the evident care that went into its design and construction. It’s a short walk from the Prospect Park West entrance on the south/southeast-facing hillside between Atlantic Ave and Ocean Ave.

September 9, 2024
Memorial Day

The flag of the United States of America is the enduring emblem of our country and what our women and men in the armed forces protect through their service. Memorial Day is set aside to remember and honor those who died in service to our country. It’s origin is in honoring Union soldiers who gave their lives to preserve our country and uphold our constitutional foundation. For those like myself who have not served in the armed forces, we reflect on those who have fallen while in service and honor them through our own humble efforts to protect, preserve, and contribute to our country’s well-being.

The photo above is the Brunswick, Georgia Risley Middle School flag squad (1990-1991). The administration asked me to organize a group of students to raise and lower the US and Georgia flag each school day. On this day, Shannon, Robert, and Darrell joined me to lower and fold the flags. As a Boy Scout, I had participated on Color Guard and flag ceremonies many times. I was glad to support the school with this service and pass on what I had learned about flag protocols and folding to my school friends who were not in Scouts.

May 27, 2024
Naming the Lost Memorial Activation and Dedication Ceremony at Green-Wood Cemetery

Last weekend, there was an activation and dedication ceremony for the Naming the Lost Memorial at Green-Wood Cemetery in Brooklyn, New York that I posted about here last week. There were speakers, music, and rituals performed. The banner to the left of the speakers in front of the chapel has written on it, “A Big, Slow, Majestic COVID Memorial.” It couldn’t have been a better day–pleasant and sunny. Afterwards, I walked a few miles through the cemetery with my N95 mask off and hanging from my backpack’s sternum strap.

May 24, 2024
Solar-Powered Tombstone, a Technologized Memorial

I gave my respects to the Bakalises after I saw this fine monument to them in Green-Wood Cemetery in Brooklyn. Installed on a small hill, its solar cells on the two short sides are what attracted my attention on a recent walk.

My guess is that the cells charge batteries during the day, which in turn power a light from within the cross cut into the headstone at night. As this is a fair walk away from where I live, I haven’t seen it from 5th Avenue in the dark (the cemetery is closed at night).

While there are larger memorials and mausoleums in the cemetery, I have a lot of respect for the thought and engineering that went into creating this one for the Bakalises.

May 15, 2024
Naming the Lost Memorial (NTLM) at Green-Wood Cemetery, Brooklyn: Remembering Those Struck Down by COVID-19

At the 5th Avenue Main Entrance to Green-Wood Cemetery in Brooklyn, New York, there are impressive memorials created by folks in the community to remember those who were lost due to COVID-19 and recognize those still suffering from Long COVID.

The installation is called Naming the Lost, and it will be up through May 29, 2024. I am including photos below, but it is far more impressive to see in person. The work that these people put into this is a testament to their love and grief. It also points to the disproportionate effect of the virus on our densely populated urban environment–in terms of infection rates, mortality, messaging, and disruption.

May 13, 2024