2009 Archive

Tuesday, October 20, 2009

The Cross Of Gray

I just got back from Washington D.C. and thought I'd share some history with you. I know what you're thinking, BOOORING...but bear with me, you fellow Wahey Boys can use a little education.

While researching the Cross Of Gray, located adjacent to the Weymouth Town Hall, I came across the fact that it was modeled after a similar cross located in Arlington National Cemetery. Naturally, I just had to see for myself, and with much enthusiasm, my wife and I tracked it down.

The cross located in Arlington is actually called the Canadian Cross Of Sacrifice and is dedicated to all those U.S. citizens that served in the Canadian Armed Forces during World Wars One and Two and the Korean War. Before you say, "Hey Stan, why would the Town Of Weymouth model their cross after one that is dedicated to Canada?", let me tell you that there are thousands of these crosses around the world. They are collectively called "War Crosses" of "Crosses Of Sacrifice". The cross was designed by Sir Reginald Blomfield, probably around 1919.

After World War I, the Commonwealth War Graves Commission was created as an intergovernmental agency in charge of recording and maintaining the graves of those that perished during the war as members of the Commonwealth forces. Since then the organization's purpose has expanded to include World War II. One of the first of the Commission's cemeteries, in Forceville, France, was partly designed by Sir Blomfield and included the original Cross Of Sacrifice. Since then, 2,500 cemeteries in 150 countries have been constucted and maintained by the Commission, and many include variations of Blomfield's Cross. The United States is not part of the Commonwealth War Graves Commission.

The Cross is normally a free standing four point cross mounted on an octagonal base. It's construction is usually of a limestone material with a Crusader type sword, made of bronze, embedded in the face of the cross with the blade pointing toward the base.

There are only two Crosses Of Sacrifice in the United States, the one located in Arlington National Cemetery was dedicated on November 11, 1927 and the one located in Weymouth, Massachusetts was dedicated on April 19, 1930.

The original intent of the design, it is surmised, was to combine military strength, represented by the sword, with faith in God and country represented by the cross. Because the cross is widely accepted as a "Christian" symbol, in recent years crosses have become a subject of debate when used to represent war casualties. One argument being that not all casualties are Christians and the other that a memorial cross placed on public property is not a separation of church and state. Both Crosses Of Sacrifice in the United States are on public property.

POSTED BY STAN on October 20, 2009

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