I'm curious to know if anyone else here on Gather has heard of the National Memorial to Missing Children. I had never heard of this and was unaware there was a Memorial for missing children. Imagine my surprise when Allen and I stumbled upon this treasure while on our recent excursion to Pensacola.
While touring the Veterans Memorial Park and Wall South, I spotted the monument across the street. It was a pleasant surprise and I was even more interested in the history of how it came to be (click here). Come take a look at this incredible monument and some of the views....
The view from across the street:
On the boardwalk:
A look at the amazing artwork:
When I walked behind the monument, Allen said check that out. We could not have asked for a better position of the sun.
Some views from the sitting area:
Remnants of the old bridge:
To read more about this Memorial, please go to this site. When in Pensacola, please add this to your itinerary. It is a must see!
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Comments: 70
Goodness, this made me cry!
Kathy, it is very moving to me too. I was speechless when I "found" it.
what a wonderful and beautiful memorial. I had never heard of this.
It is, indeed, JoAnn. Happy Saturday to you.
Beautiful photos of this memorial. No, I have never heard of it.
Thank you, Marianne. I hadn't heard of it either. In fact, when I was "creating the itenary" for this trip...it didn't even show up on the net.
wow that is cool my neice was a missing child, her dad took her right out of the hospital after my sister died, he took her without letting the offical know, we declared her missing after 5 hours, then about 10 days later his mom called me to say she is there with her,,, we took her back to NE, and fought custody,, we got split custody due to fact he didnt do anything illeagal,, yet to us he did, she stayed with me for abit then he clean up his act and been with him eversince
That's some story, Steph. I can see why you think he did something illegal, I see it the same way. I'm glad she was okay and you now are able to see her and your brother in law has cleaned up his act. Thanks for sharing the story, I think many people have stories like this...they just don't talk about it much.
Happy Saturday to you.
thanks for sharing...
Thanks for dropping by, Larry.
I like that the statue is rough but yet solid, the figures are of ancient people, perhaps around the time of the Romans....the arms and hands strong...
Isn't it amazing, Katherine? I wish you could really "see" it. The photos are okay, but the magnitude of this can not be seen in them.
I didn't know this existed. The photos are fantastic.
Thank you, Renee. Happy Saturday to you.
That symbolic statue is magnificent. How lovely to see the sun's light as an aura around the joined, protective hands. Like a spiritual confirmation and blessing of the symbolic nature of the statue and place.
Too true, Tanya. It was an amazing sight. I don't know why, but when I saw it...I felt comfort. Happy Saturday to you.
Oh this is just a wonderful Memorial to all our missing children, Renda. I never knew it existed.
Bob ~ I didn't either. It is wonderful. I'm going to keep a check on it during each of my future visits to Pensacola.
I have not heard of this memorial. What a great memorial for missing children. Thanks for sharing and the pics are excellant.
Thanks, Kay. It's amazing.
this is great, I never knew about it either. the photos are awesome.
Thanks Tammy.
Great photos ,Renda! No,I've never heard of it .
Phil, thank you. Me either, but I'm glad we stumbled upon this.
I think this is fantastic and sad. To think that we would even need this kind of a memorial . What is wrong with people? A child is the most sacred of our trusts.
My wife is a great supporter of the Boy's and Girl's club and several other children's organiztion and I help any way I can.
Yes, David. I agree....fantastic and sad at the same time. I don't know why people do some of the things they do, especially to children. Tragic doesn't even begin to describe it.
I think it's wonderful to be supportive of organizations like you and your wife are. Kudos to you both for doing that! Happy Saturday to you.
Thank you, graciously, for posting to Southern by Choice or Southern by the Grace of God!
Thanks for the great group to post it to :)
As many times as I have visited Pensacola I knew nothing about this wonderful and beautiful memorial. Beautiful photos Renda.
Thank you for posting your photo at Pretty Pictures.
Kat, until this trip I had not been to Pensacola in years so I was unsure of what all was "new" and what wasn't. I want to go back because in just one day we didn't get to see everything :)
Thanks for dropping by for a peek at this. Happy Saturday to you.
What a great Memorial! It's a shame that there is a need for one......it's so sad there are people walking around who would exploit, steal & terrorize our children. Thanks for sharing Renda
It is tragic, Jeanna, isn't it? Thanks for dropping in. Happy Saturday.
What a wonderful memorial. Sad that it is needed but hopefully it does draw attention to the cause.
I hope it does, Linda. Happy Saturday.
A very moving memorial. The sculpture is amazing. I'd never heard of this memorial either and I went to the web site and checked it out. One thing I think is a little odd on the web site for the memorial to missing children is that there was no donation or sponsorship from the family of Adam Walsh, the little boy who was killed in Florida. His dad went on to host America's Most wanted and was very involved in missing children's issues. It seems like they would be a big supporter of this memorial. Great photos.
That's a good question. I know Adam Walsh's story. I wonder if he is even aware of this. That may be something for me to email the "creators" of this memorial.
It is amazing and moving, isn't it?
It is very moving. Oddly enough, I saw John Walsh (Adam's father) on Oprah yesterday talking about Adam's Act, a bill that funded missing children crimes that is up for renewal this July. He is still a very powerful and emotional speaker on behalf of disappeared children and their families.
Yes, and I like to hear him talk. He has a great voice for the show. I don't watch Oprah so I missed him. I wonder if I can find the clip online. I'll have to make myself a note to look for that.
Well, if I ever get to the States and get to that neck of the woods, I most certainly will go and check it out. I wonder which missing children, exactly, this memorial is for.
Hi Magi. If you are ever in this neck of the woods, we will meet you there and treat you to a meal :) From what I can gather, this started out being for missing children of the "founders" of this and has since turned into a Memorial for all missing children. People are able to put their "memorials/tributes" etc on the website.
I look forward to the day, Renda!
Me too, Magi. You have a standing invitation.
Thank you very much.
I've never heard of this. What an interesting memorial and it is just beautiful.
Nana, I hadn't either. It is beautiful, isn't it? Happy Saturday.
Thank you--I never knew about it. Beautiful pictures of it.
You're welcome, Ann. And thank you for dropping by.
Wow I never heard of this either. Great essay.
Thank you, Minipin. Happy Saturday to you.
I didn't know either but that sculpture is fantastic. Thanks for showing us.
You're welcome, Diva. Isn't the sculputure amazing?
A beautiful place. I sincerely hope our law enforcement agencies spend more time and have more success in saving children, especially from any type of predator.
Bill, so do I. It is a beautiful place. I do agree that I wish there wasn't a need for it.
I can't believe this memorial hasn't gotten more press. Thanks for sharing.
Me either, Gary. As I said, I went online and printed out a list of things to see (didn't get to them all and will have to make another trip), but this wasn't even an available option. Maybe it was just the site I was using, regardless I think it does deserve more publicity than it is currently getting (or has received).
this is wonderful!!!!!
It sure is, Robyn. Thanks!
I never heard of this either-wonderful photo essay!
Thank you, Mari.
Wow - that shot with the sun radiating above their clasped hands is a stunner! Frameworthy!
Beautiful sculptures - breathtaking actually. I had never heard of it. If I ever get up that way I will be sure to see this.
If you ever go to Pensacola, Rose...check it out. The photos came out great, but "in person" this is awesome. I love how the photo came out of the sun over the hands! Thanks for coming by.
I'm friends with the artist who made the statue.
Wow. If you think of it, the next time you speak with him...please let him know how much I appreciate this work of art. It is really beautiful. Has he done any more work around the area?
he's done the Veteran's Memorial in Milton, the Jaguar at University of Southern Alabama, at UWF's biology building there is one, and he just had an exibit last year of a bunch of his work at PJC.
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