William Henry Seward Memorial, Anchorage Alaksa

William Henry Seward was the United States Secretary of State from 1861 to 1869, serving throughout the horrifying period of the American Civil War and on into Reconstruction.  We don't think a great deal about US foreign relations in that period, but we really should, given as the American republics internal struggle put us on pretty rocky shores with many foreign nations, many of which could have used that period to our disadvantage.  Indeed, some did, which explains the French presence in France during this period.

Seward is remembered here, of course, as he was instrumental in the US purchase of Alaska in 1867. Seward had expressed an interest in the US acquiring Alaska as early as 1860, a remarkable instance of foresight.

This memorial is in front of the Old Anchorage City Hall.

Homer Seafarer's Memorial, Homer Alaska

Seward Mariners' Memorial, Seward Alaska

For the first time today, we're posting photographs of a mariners' memorial.

We haven't been ignoring them, they're just the first we've run across.  Been solidly landlubbers, we don't find ourselves in ports often. But, as we've learned, these are very common at ports.

And well they should be.  Commercial fishing is the most dangerous job in the United States, and its little appreciated really how often mariners, even today, risk their lives at sea.  Their calling is an ancient one, and the risk still very much there.

Veterans Memorial Park, Rock Springs Wyoming

This is a M60 tank in Rock Springs' Veterans Memorial Park.

There's more to the park than this tank, but unfortunately I did not have the time to stop and really view things.  Hence the side of the road photograph.  It is sort of peculiar, I'll note, to see this correctly painted green tank sitting in such a deserty setting.  M60s were used in the Middle East by Israel, and the sand paint scheme used by the IDF would almost look more appropriate here, even though it would of course not be appropriate for the M60 which, as far as I know, was never painted in a sand paint scheme.

 I was back in this area the other day, so I updated the photos of this memorial, although I framed one of the photos very poorly.   This park, while an all wars memorial park, is focused on the Persian Gulf War, which I had not previously noted.

A Bicentennial. Waterloo

Two hundred years ago.

"Scotland Forever"

A coalition of European nations puts a stop to Napoleonism at the cost of 24,000 allied lives and 14,000 French lives.

I-25 Wyoming Vietnam Veterans Welcome Home Highway

Just recently Interstate Highway 25 in Wyoming has been designated the Wyoming Vietnam Veterans Welcome Home Higway.  This has been marked by signs, and also here noted on the overhead highway sign.  On the date this photo was taken, a parade for Vietnam veterans was being held in nearby Casper.

Oregon Trail Marker, Green River Wyoming.

This is the memorial to pioneers in Green River Wyoming, which was one of the localities which a branch of the Oregon Trail went through.   This marker is on the grounds of the courthouse in Green River.

Highland Cemetary, Casper Wyoming

This Spanish American War era artillery piece is in a portion of Casper Wyoming's Highland Cemetery that has several features dedicated to war veterans. This dedication was placed in this location in the early 1950s at the latest, and the graves in the location are generally those of World War One, or Spanish American War, veterans. Benches were placed in this location in the early 1950s by the Veterans of Foreign Wars, Daughters of the American Revolution, and the War Mothers organization.



For those with an interest in artillery, the model and size of this artillery piece, which is indicated as being 3.2 in, Model of 1897, is stamped here, although you'll have to enlarge the photographs in order to see the information.

Data regarding this artillery piece is stamped here, on the muzzle, but you will have to enlarge the photograph in order to be able to read it.

Updated on May 23, 2015.

Tombstone noting service in the 817 Dept Aero Squadron during  World War One.

Marker noting service in the 1st Colorado Infantry during The Spanish American War.

Marker noting service in the 157th Aero Squadron during World War One.

Marker of the old military pattern noting service in the 2nd U.S. Volunteer Cavalry during the Spanish American War.  The 2nd U.S. Vol Cav was raised in Wyoming.  It did not deploy everseas, in part because a severe train accident injured and killed a signficant number of its troopers en route to Florida.

Marker noting this veteran's service as a Horseshoer in the Field Artillery.

Marker noting this veteran's service as a Cook in the 24th Infantry during the Civil War.

Marker noting this trooper's service in the Army during the Spanish American War and World War One.

Marker noting this veteran's service in Co. F, 2nd Illinois Light Artillery during the Civil War.

Marker noting Civil War service.