This, the season of light for so many cultures–and the season in which we all pray for Peace on Earth, seems to be just the right time to post this photo of Orange’s Peace Statue. This is actually the official peace statue of Massachusetts, designated as such by the legislature in 1998. It is the focal point of Memorial Park in Orange. The 12-foot bronze statue was created by Joseph Pollia in 1934 as a memorial to veterans of World War I.
According to Allen Young’s book, North of Quabbin, Revisited, “The Statue depicts a doughboy just returned from the war-torn fields of France. He is seated on a stump with weariness emanating from every line of his body.” Beside him “stands a typical American schoolboy of perhaps 10 years, who is partially embraced by the soldier’s left arm. He appears to be listening intently to the soldier’s words with fist clenched.” We can only imagine what the soldier is saying to the boy—what anguish he feels.
A plaque on the base bears these words: “It Shall Not Be Again.”
Thirteen stars honor Orange veterans who died in the war.
To all of those who read these words, let me wish you–first of all–a wonderfully warm and peaceful holiday! Secondly, let us all join together–even as we support our country’s soldiers in war–let us all pray for a time, in the not-too-distant-future, when all men of every race, color, religion, and nationality can join hands in a time of true peace and good will. Happy Holidays to you all and to your families and loved ones! —-Mitch
Camera Data: Nikon D90 –two photos combined in Photoshop Elements 6.0. Both had a focal length of 18mm/27mm (35 equiv.) Both were underexposed by 1/3 of a stop. On one I spot-metered the statue (f3.5 for 1/3 sec) and on the other I used center-weighted metering f 4,0 for 1/60 sec).
Mitchell R. Grosky Photography Blog 