There is a Book About American Soldiers ... #veteransday #veterans

My family and I were on vacation in the UK in 2019.?One of our stops was St. Paul's Cathedral.?The cathedral, as one would expect, is an architectural marvel with high ceilings, detailed murals, impeccable woodwork, all of it steeped in historic and spiritual significance.?We met the tour guide at the front of the cathedral, and introduced ourselves as tourists from Virginia.??

As we started our tour, the guide explained that there are 2 major memorials in the cathedral.?One is a statue of the Duke of Ellington, built because he defeated Napoleon at Waterloo, essentially ending an existential crisis for the country.?The other is a chapel beyond the high cathedral at the east end of St. Paul's.?

The tour guide walked us into the chapel.?At the heart of the chapel, she pointed to a 500 page leather bound book encased in a glass case. Around us she pointed to?three stained-glass windows containing the state symbols of every American state. The wood carvings contain the birds, plants and flowers of America and hidden away in one panel are a space rocket and stars.

"This chapel was built for you," the tour guide said with a smile.

The tour guide then led us to the book at the heart of the chapel.?

She explained that the book in the glass case was a roll call of 28,000 American soldiers who died on English soil during WWII, and the Chapel we stood in was called the American Memorial Chapel.?She explained that after the war there had been many debates about the most appropriate way to memorialize WWII within St. Paul's Cathedral.

?"And then, we decided that we wouldn't be having this conversation," she said pointing at the book. "... if it wasn't for these American soldiers."

My family and I stood around the leather bound book, reading each name on the two pages that were showing.

"We turn each page every day," she explained. "So that every soldier's name can be seen.?Often American military families come here straight from Heathrow airport, and when they do, we open the case, and turn the page to their family member."

?My family and I stayed in the Chapel for a while.??

?"Take your time," the tour guide said.?"Most Americans stay here for a bit."

As we read each name on the 2 open pages, we thought about all the families that felt the loss of their child, their sibling, their parent, their spouse during WWII and every war since.?It was also impossible not to think about, and be thankful, for my friends who've served in the military.?My friends at work,?Ben Lamm, Mike Long, and Jeanel Heyel.?My friends from school, Roo Edwards, Steve Wilinski and Chris Kresnak. Tomorrow, on Veterans Day, and on everyday,?I give them thanks for serving our great country!

If you ever get a chance to visit St. Paul's Cathedral, please make sure to ask about the American Memorial Chapel beyond the high alter at the very east end of the Cathedral.?There in the heart of the chapel, you'll find a book about American soldiers.

?Happy Veterans Day! God bless the USA!

#veteransday #usa