Pictured above is the 28 foot high bronze sculpture Angel of the Resurrection which stands in Philadelphia’s 30th Street Station. It portrays Michael the Archangel lifting up a dead soldier from the flames of war. At its base are two inscriptions which read:

IN MEMORY OF THE MEN AND WOMEN OF THE PENNSYLVANIA RAILROAD WHO LAID DOWN THEIR LIVES FOR OUR COUNTRY 1941-1945.

THAT ALL TRAVELERS HERE MAY REMEMBER THOSE OF THE PENNSYLVANIA RAILROAD WHO DID NOT RETURN FROM THE SECOND WORLD WAR.

There are four bronze plaques listing the 1,307 names of the dead.

The memorial was dedicated in 1952 by General Omar Bradley, Chairman of the Joints Chief of Staff. It was unveiled by Army Sergeant Robert E. Laws, a recipient of the Medal of Honor for his bravery in combat in the Philippines, and an employee of the railroad.

It is a very powerful, moving and sobering work of art. Every time I am in the station, I look up at the memorial and say a prayer for those who have died in all of our wars.

Recently I was privileged to attend the annual banquet of Freedoms Foundation at Valley Forge. This remarkable organization is dedicated to providing educational opportunities and programs for teachers and students to learn about America’s history and heritage. In attendance was an impressive assemblage of truly outstanding academic, business and government leaders as well as a sizable contingent of Medal of Honor recipients. I urge you to learn about and support Freedoms Foundation. Here is a link to its website.

Yesterday, David Harmer, the foundation’s dynamic new chief executive, published a terrific commentary in the Dallas Morning News. It’s a good read and well worth your time.

Finally, I want to thank my good friend Kevin Ferris, formerly on the editorial board of the Philadelphia Inquirer and now an executive with Freedoms Foundation, for sharing David Harmer’s article with me. Kevin is the co-author of Vets and Pets: Wounded Warriors and the Animals That Help Them Heal. It is a fascinating and heartwarming account of the bonds between wounded warriors and veterans with their service and companion animals. It tells fifteen emotional and most entertaining stories about how the animals help veterans return to civilian life and live independently while bringing them joy and confidence.  It is available through Amazon. Buy a copy. You and Kevin will be glad you did.

Have a happy and safe Memorial Day!