Friday, November 22, 2013

John F. Kennedy Memorial - Holyoke, MA

Interesting Places I've Photographed
John F. Kennedy Memorial
Holyoke, MA
Topic: John F. Kennedy

GPS: N42° 12.597; W072° 37.118

Quick Description: 

A large John F. Kennedy memorial is located by Holy Cross Church in Holyoke, MA.

Long Description:

The John F. Kennedy Memorial Plaza is south of Holy Cross Roman Catholic Church in Holyoke. After the death of the President, the parishioners raised funds, constructed, and dedicated a plaza in his honor.

The plaza consists of a granite base on which a bust of Kennedy rests on a slender base. The bust of a young looking President Kennedy is approximately 28" by 24" by 14". On either side of the statue are large horizontal granite blocks bearing quotes for his inaugural speech and book, Profiles in Courage. At the rear are six granite blocks listing recipients of the JFK award and the Grand Marshals of the St. Patrick's Day Parade.

The plaza was a creation of the Rock of Ages Corporation and is administered by City of Holyoke, Soldiers Memorial Commission.

The front of the base is inscribed:

JOHN
FITZGERALD
KENNEDY

35th PRESIDENT
OF THE
UNITED STATES

MAY 29, 1917
NOV. 22, 1963

The back of the base is inscribed:

{SEAL OF THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES}

JOHN
FITZGERALD
KENNEDY

MAY 29, 1917
NOV. 22, 1963

{Image of The Eternal Flame}

The front of the left horizontal block is inscribed:

"AND SO, MY FELLOW AMERICANS, ASK NOT WHAT
YOUR COUNTRY CAN DO FOR YOU -- ASK WHAT
YOU CAN DO FOR YOUR COUNTRY" INAUGURAL ADDRESS 1961

{SEAL OF THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES}
1961 1963

The front of the right horizontal block is inscribed:

{SEAL OF MASSACHUSETTS}
1952 1960

"ALL THIS WILL NOT BE FINISHED IN THE FIRST
HUNDRED DAYS, NOR WILL IT BE FINISHED IN
THE FIRST THOUSAND DAYS, BUT LET US BEGIN."
INAUGURAL ADDRESS 1961 

The back of the left horizontal block is inscribed:

"A MAN DOES WHAT HE MUST -- IN SPITE OF PERSONAL
CONSEQUENCES, IN SPITE OF OBSTACLES AND DAMAGES AND
PRESSURES, AND THAT IS THE BASIS OF ALL HUMAN MORALITY"
"PROFILES IN COURAGE" 1955

The back of the right horizontal block is inscribed:

"... LET US GO FORTH TO LEAD THE LAND WE LOVE ASKING
HIS BLESSING AND HIS HELP, BUT KNOWING THAT HERE
ON EARTH GOD'S WORK MUST TRULY BE OUR OWN."
INAUGURAL ADDRESS 1961 

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