Saturday, July 5, 2008

Patriotic Pink-Pink Saturday

When driving through town the other day with Connor I noticed the pink flowers planted in front of The Spirit of the American Dough Boy Monument. Since yesterday was the 4th of July, I decided to post this for my Pink Saturday post. The crepe myrtles and pink vinca are in full bloom and really set off the monument. Both of these require very little upkeep or extra watering and can stand the hot humid Mississippi days. Here is Connor posting in front of the monument, and a picture that he took of the soldier at the top. Every time we ride through town, he asks me to tell him the story of the monument and why it is there. The day I took the pictures, we finally got out of the car and walked up to the monument. He had asked me to stop before and it seemed we were always headed somewhere else. I think he was 'tickled pink' to finally get out and see it up close! I am trying to instill in him a love of his country....I want him to be proud of it always and to remember those soldiers who fought for our freedom. He is young and probably doesn't understand, but knowing him he'll keep asking questions!After researching it to answer his questions, I learned quite a bit myself including that the monument was created by sculptor Ernest Moore Viquesney and found in many communities in the USA. In fact, there is even a scavenger hunt for different versions of the statue! Information about the monument in Meridian, and the scavenger hunt with other links about the Dough boy monuments in America can be found here.
Do you have one in your community?

Thanks to Beverly at How Sweet the Sound for hosting Pink Saturday!

Happy Pink Saturday everyone!

Edited July 7, 2008

I received this email and wanted to make sure the accurate information was posted:
Diane:

Thanks for the link to my Doughboy site (
http://members.tripod.com/doughboy_lamp/earlspages).

While there's not really a "scavenger hunt" for Viquesney's Doughboy, there are a few people looking for them for various reasons. In my case, it was due to a miniature lamp base in the form of the statue, bought by my grandmother in 1923, that sparked my interest. My colleague Earl Goldsmith, who did most of the research on locations and background information for our site, grew up in Henryetta, OK, where there is an identical statue. Spotting another miniature of the statue in a bank vault one day, and told there were "several" of the large versions around the country, he wondered how many of them there actually were.

This informal group of "Doughboy Searchers" was once headed by T. Perry Wesley, late editor of the Spencer (Indiana) Evening World. Mr. Wesley became curious about yet another identical statue that stands in front of the County Courthouse in Spencer, and spent 50 years searching for locations of Viquesney's Doughboy and information about the sculptor.

Since Meridian's Doughboy stands atop a tall stone tower, it's impossible to read the tiny nameplate on the base near the right foot. But if you could, you would learn that the full title of the statue is The Spirit of the American Doughboy. So far as known, Meridian is the only site in Mississippi that has one. Meridian's version is one of the older ones, made of pressed copper sheets welded together over an internal frame. This version was produced from 1921 until 1934, when it was replaced by a cast zinc version that continued being made until shortly after the start of WWII. Viquesney also copyrighted a stone version in 1922, but it was not as successful as the others; only three are known to exist.

Thanks again for linking to us.

Les Kopel
Webmaster
Earl Goldsmith's Spirit of the American Doughboy Database

17 comments:

Anonymous said...

What a wonderful pink post. The crepe myrtles are just beginning to bloom here. In fact, mine aren't blooming yet.

I commend you for instilling a spirit of patriotism.

Anonymous said...

We have lived here 10 years now and it was our first time. I have always been very patriotic,but since Rian is now serving our country it makes us feel much more.We always love finding history now. The Museum is great.It can take some time so be sure to have time to enjoy.

Dawn said...

That is a great idea for a pink Saturday. Thanks for sharing the story as well. I like the layout you did! It is nice that you are helping Conner learn a bit about his history. Once a teacher always a teacher I guess!

Happy Pink Saturday!

take care,
Dawn

Heidi said...

Hi Diane, Here we are enjoying another "Pink Saturday"! I so enjoyed your post today with the "pink" flowering trees & flowers surrounding the statue!...but I LOVED hearing about Conner! What a sweet little boy! As the grandmother to our 4 year old Andrew,I am so partial to these funny little guys! Enjoy your day!...Heidi xo

Anonymous said...

Diane, Your flowers in front of the monument is perfectly pink. Smile.
We do not have a Dough boy monument, but we do have a beautiful monument to all veterans. The Garden Club took on the project of planting flowers around it. I better check out the colors.

Thanks for visiting my post today.

Hugs, Jeanne

Anonymous said...

Diane, I'm back to correct the word is, should be are. I don't know what
I was thinking. Smile

Jeanne, again

mommyholly said...

Omg, those flowers are soooo pretty!!! What a perfect and festive pink Saturday post!!!! :) xoxox!

Anonymous said...

I love all of your pink!!! Thanks for sharing...

Scooterblu's Whimsy~Rhonda said...

Diane, Love the pink crepe myrtle trees. That is what I was going to post today, as part of my pink post, but one of Kevin's friend's dad passed away, so we had to leave out early for the funeral! ...Didn't get to post anything! I saw a dark purple crepe myrtle today! A new color on me...but it was really pretty!

I just LOVE your new banner! The colors and graphics are amazing! Hope you had a great 4th!

Hugs, Rhonda :)

vintage girl at heart said...

Very pretty, love the look of the town sqaure!!!
Your blog header is fabulous too by the way!!!
A big salute to Rian!!

Anonymous said...

Hi Diane,

Beautiful picture - thanks for sharing!

Thanks also for visiting my blog and leaving the lovely comment. Hopefully, we will get to visit again.

Anonymous said...

Hi Diane! Hope you are enjoying the holiday weekend. I love crepe myrtle and this picture is making me wish mine would hurry up and bloom. They are just on the verge. I have 5 deep pinkish-red lining the whole side of a fence, a very large pink and another deep red out front and am so glad they made it through last year's dry spell. It is so nice that you have Connor to share and teach. Nothing like a child to keep you young at heart and in mind!!! Have a nice Sunday - Jeannette (oh, I like your colorful new title pic)

Stephanie ~ Angelic Accents said...

Gorgeous pink post!!

And so wonderful that you are teaching Conner to be patriotic & what it all really means!!

Big Hugs,
Stephanie
Angelic Accents

Connie said...

I just found you by way of Very Berry Nice. I adore your header on your blog. I enjoyed looking at all of your pics.
~Connie

Naturegirl said...

This is truly a wonderful post!

Maryjane-The Beehive Cottage said...

Hello Diane!

Aren't grandchildren the best?!

Love the PINK crepe myrtle tree!

Hugs,
Maryjane

Pat @ Mille Fiori Favoriti said...

This was a very interesting pink post! I looked the doughboy statues in NY and they are all upstate. I was surprised how many were in New Jersey!

Instilling patriotism in your grandchild is very commendable. We did the same with our children as we always took vacations in historical locations and discussed what it meant to them. It's no wonder my son majored in history and both my children are involved with education as a career.