A Memorial Day icon

Fort Snelling is in Minnesota. Fort Snelling National Cemetery is adjacent to the the Historic Fort. A decade or so ago, an amateur photographer took a photo that has become an icon for Memorial Day. The Star Tribune published the back story on the photo and  the photographer. Today seems like a good day to share the photo and the story behind it as we honor the memories of all those who gave all in service to their country.

Fort Snelling Cemetery eagle by Frank Glick

The Fort Snelling area is sacred to the Dakota people, who know it as Bdote, “where two waters come together.” It is a place of many memories for many reasons for many peoples. May we all see ourselves and each other in beauty and gratitude.

Eagle Poem

By Joy Harjo

To pray you open your whole self

To sky, to earth, to sun, to moon

To one whole voice that is you.

And know there is more

That you can’t see, can’t hear;

Can’t know except in moments

Steadily growing, and in languages

That aren’t always sound but other

Circles of motion.

Like eagle that Sunday morning

Over Salt River. Circled in blue sky

In wind, swept our hearts clean

With sacred wings.

We see you, see ourselves and know

That we must take the utmost care

And kindness in all things.

Breathe in, knowing we are made of

All this, and breathe, knowing

We are truly blessed because we

Were born, and die soon within a

True circle of motion,

Like eagle rounding out the morning

Inside us.

We pray that it will be done

In beauty.

In beauty.

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