TOUR AMERICA, 2021: SUNNY OAKS RV PARK, JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA

Monday, August 23, 2021

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Abundant Sunshine, Wind & Rain in the Afternoon, Temperature 91 Degrees

Memorial Park Jacksonville

Yesterday, we both decided we needed a day out. Therefore, we decided that after my doctor’s visit this morning

we would go for bagels and either eat in the car, or if the outside area was open

we would find a table for two. As you can see we ended up in the outside area since there was not a soul around. Smile, Ms. Barbara. I absolutely love her smile. Yes, we also purchased a dozen bagels to bring home and freeze for the future.

Breakfast over, our morning was just getting started.

The last time we were here we had noticed a park across the street that we wanted to explore called Memorial Park.

Well, by now you should know me. Not only did I want to explore the park, but I also wanted to know a bit about its history.

I first learned that Memorial Park is dedicated to the Floridians whose lives were lost in World War I (more about this later).

The park was designed by the Olmstead Brothers who were renowned for building national and city parks throughout the United States. Their father was the landscape architect who designed Central Park in Manhattan.

The park consists of six acres adjacent to the St. John’s River. The park was dedicated on Christmas Day, 1924.

There is a circular concrete walk that runs around the outside circumference of the park. It was the perfect place for our walk this morning.

Within the park there are also some notable statues.

However, the most notable statue in the park is this memorial called Life.

I did some further research regarding this memorial and discovered an article from which I learned the following.

Charles Adrian Pillars was a mature and nationally known sculptor who was chosen in 1920 by the park committee to design this memorial.

Furthermore, in the article Pillars stated that – , I constructed a sphere to represent the world, engirdled with masses of swirling water typifying the chaotic earth forces. In this surging mass of waters, I shaped human figures, all striving to rise above this flood, struggling for mere existence.

Last, surmounting these swirling waters, with their human freight, I placed the winged figure of Youth, representative of spiritual life, the spirit of these boys (soldiers who served in WWI) which was the spirit of victory. Immortality attained not through death, but deeds; not a victory of brute force, but of spirit. This figure of Youth Sacrificed wears his crown of laurels won. He holds aloft an olive branch, the emblem of peace.

Going back to the beginning of this blog, remember that this park was dedicated to the citizens of Florida who lost their lives in WW I. Well,

To further honor the fallen, the names of the more than 1,220 Floridians who died in the first World War were inscribed on parchment and placed in a lead box within a bronze box which was buried in the ground in front of the sculpture Life.

So that was our Monday on the Road of Retirement. We had a wonderful morning walking hand in hand around Memorial Park. Life is great. God has blessed us beyond measure and we are so grateful for every blessing we receive.

Thanks for taking the time to read our blog.  We always appreciate your company, your comments, and your suggestions. Remember, take time to stop and smell the roses and live each day that God gives you to the fullest.

 Our continuing mission remains: Departing from our base as often as possible to explore as many new states as possible, to seek out new acquaintances and make new friends, to boldly go where we have never been before.

See you on down the road!