January: Liberty Memorial
The Great Frieze of the Liberty Memorial
The Great Frieze, commissioned by the Liberty Memorial Association, was designed and executed by New York sculptor Edmond Amateis. Amateis was a veteran of World War I. The Frieze wall is 488-feet long and 48-feet high. The actual carving is 400-feet by 13-feet. Along the top of the Frieze it reads: "These have dared bear the torches of sacrifice and service. Their bodies return to dust but their work liveth for evermore. Let us strive to do all which may achieve and cherish a just and lasting peace among ourselves and with all nations." From left to right (east to west), the Great Frieze shows the United States moving from war to peace. First is the war's destruction. The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse represent the immediate returns of war, death and destruction. Next is the spirit, patriotism and unity of action of the Americans in the war. The next group represent the wounded and maimed, guided by a nurse. The Armistice, November 11, 1918, is represented with the troops returning home. Crosses in a cemetery remind us of those who never returned. In the center is the figure of Liberty, the symbol of peace and understanding. Soldiers emerging from the wings on the figure are putting down their instruments of war and picking up the implements of peace. A group welcomes them with music. The ideals of morality, the sanctity of the home, confidence, prosperity and the abundance of nature are represented by human and animal figures.
