Law Enforcement Officers Memorial of Allegheny County

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Pittsburgh has several war memorials including the nearby Korean War, Vietnam War, and World War II memorials. This monument remembers the heroes of a different kind of war. This war is one that never ends and hits very close to home. At this memorial we remember and honor the law enforcement officers who have given their lives to protect us right here, in this state, this county, this city. This is the Law Enforcement Officers Memorial of Allegheny County.

First dedicated in 1996, it was relocated to it’s present location when the new stadiums were constructed, and rededicated in 2003.

A row of seven flags provide a backdrop to the monument. The bronze statue of an officer looks toward the city with Ever Watchful inscribed on his pedestal. The inscription is also the title of this sculpture by Susan Wagner. In a Post Gazette article by Paula Reed Ward, Ms Wagner said The theme is that the spirit of the fallen police officers are still watching over our city.

On a black granite wall at the base of the American flag are the names of local, state and federal law enforcement officers killed in the line of duty who lived in Allegheny County. The list of names goes back as far as 1885.

Perhaps the simplest thing at this monument is also the most poignant. A red call box sits off to the side with the words Last Call.

We found a Facebook, page for the Law Enforcement Officers Memorial of Allegheny County. On it, they place an entry on the anniversary of each officer's death with their photograph. It seems an integral part of this memorial.

The poem inscribed on the granite wall is titled "A Part of America Died" by retired Detective Harry Koch, MCSO.

Somebody killed a policeman today, and a part of America died.
A piece of our country he swore to protect, will be buried with him at his side.
The suspect who shot him will stand up in court, with counsel demanding his rights,
While a young widowed mother must work for her kids, and spend alone many long nights.
The beat that he walked was a battlefield, too, just as if he'd gone off to war.
Though the flag of our nation won't fly at half mast, to his name they will add a gold star.
Yes, somebody killed a policeman today, it happened in your town or mine.
While we slept in comfort behind our locked doors, a cop put his life on the line.
Now, his ghost walks a beat on a dark city street, and he stands at each new rookie's side.
He answered the call and gave us his all, and a part of America died.

After the loss of K9 officer Rocco in the line of duty, it was decided that it was only right that our four-legged officers also be remembered here. In 2014 artist Susan Wagner volunteered to create the K9 addition to this memorial. She used a K9 named Bandit as her model and in 2015 the bronze sculpture took it's rightful place, watching over our city.

Korean War Veterans Memorial by R. Allan Christianson

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Even though we knew this memorial was along the Northshore trail, (we ride past here all the time) when we went specifically to photograph it we had to stop to think about exactly where it was. Unlike the Vietnam Veteran’s Memorial and the newer WWII Memorial (which are both easily visible from across the Allegheny River) this monument is tucked into the landscaping.

You have to make more of an effort to see and appreciate the Korean War Veteran’s Memorial. The monument is cocooned within trees and shrubbery between the Riverwalk and the walkway behind the buildings along N Shore Drive. There is no direct access from the Northshore Trail into the monument space. A ramp leading from the trail passes just below the monument on the way up to Mazeroski Way. From there you would need to make a left turn onto the promenade that runs through the upper level of the park (behind Hyde Park Prime Steakhouse).

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There’s also an entrance to the memorial from the staircase that runs along the east side of the Water Steps. Even with the fountain full of kids, dogs, and big kids gleefully wading and enjoying themselves, the area by the monument has bit of a sheltered feel when the trees are all leafed out.

The centerpiece of the monument is visible from the trail, but there’s so much more to the memorial. A long wall is filled with the names of local veterans of this conflict.

The Korean War Veterans Association of W. Pa has installed several plaques with information about the War. One offers a brief history while four large plaques give a chronology of events.

On the plaque shown above, the architect gives his insight on the memorial. The following exert comes from that plaque.

This Memorial intends to symbolize and express the life spirit of those who served, directly and indirectly, in the Korean War. It is a reflection, in part, of just one who served. It is meant to signal remembrance of the breadth and pulse of their identity. And, it is a marker for the array of human qualities nurtured by the freedom we protect.

This Memorial is positioned and shaped to capture sunlight. As the sun travels the horizon, columns of light articulate, sequentially, aspects of human spirit, experience and feeling. Through solid and void, light and shadow, the sun traces a spectrum of individual and shared experience.

It is hoped this Memorial will become a welcome place; that it can evoke memory, emotion and vision through the eyes of each visitor. It is meant to be very personal.

The focal point of the monument is designed to use natural lighting to bring your attention to emotions and experiences from this war, one or two at a time. Of course you miss this if you visit on a cloudy day. We had to return when the sun was out in order to really see this effect.

Like Vietnam veterans, the Korean War veterans were largely unrecognized on their return home. Often referred to as the forgotten war, the Korean War involved around 26,000 Pittsburgh veterans. Calling it a conflict or police action didn’t change the affect it had on their lives. On this small piece of the Northshore they are remembered and honored for their service.

A Tribute to Children by Robert Berks

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Pittsburghers adored Fred Rogers. Mrs. Cordelia May (a local philanthropist and member of the Mellon and Scaife families) wanted a lasting memorial to this incredible man and so she commissioned and funded this sculpture. Mr Rogers, however, was quite humble and according to what his wife said in an interview, he wouldn’t have wanted something all about himself. As far as he was concerned it was all about the children. In deference to this modest, local hero, this artwork is titled A Tribute to Children, but of course in our hearts it’s a tribute to our favorite neighbor. Mr Rogers sits watching over our city, and the children that visit him there often try to crawl up on his lap. We think he’d have liked that.

Adults gravitate to him too.

According to a Post Gazette article by Anya Sostek, it was architect Lou Astorino (the man that brought us The Pittsburgh Crèche) that suggested the location. Mr Astorino thought next to the river would be perfect because Fred Rogers swam every day. He also believed it would be a good way to repurpose an old pier and that it was appropriate that the location had a great view of the city – Mr Rogers’ city – Mr Rogers’ neighborhood.

That old pier had always been intended to be used as a lookout platform. When the Manchester Bridge was demolished in 1970 they left the pier to be incorporated into the design of Roberto Clemente Park. With the creation of A Tribute to Children the original plan of having an observation platform by the river was fulfilled.

The structure is built out of the old Manchester Bridge pier.

Long before Knit the Bridge, we saw a yarn bombing on this sculpture. As we rode across the Ft Duquesne Bridge our first impression was that someone had left a red sweater on the statue. Up close we discovered something less than a sweater. At that point it was coming off the statue and we couldn’t tell if it had been installed like that or not. On line we later found the explanation and photos of the original project, showing a hand crocheted red sweater fitted to the statue. We were a bit disappointed that it wasn’t there very long. It seemed like a heartfelt tribute and not any sort of vandalism. Who thinks of Fred Rogers and doesn’t remember his iconic sweaters? Groundbreaking for this statue was even done on Mr Rogers Sweater Day, 20 March 2008. (Of course 20 March is also his birthday.) One of his sweaters (all were knitted by his mother BTW) is on display at the Smithsonian.

Sculptor Robert Berks had never seen Mr Roger’s Neighborhood until he was commissioned to create this statue. After watching several episodes he decided that the only pose to use would be the one of Fred Rogers changing his shoes as he did on each and every show. What a perfect choice.

From the news release on the groundbreaking ceremony:

"Fred would be so pleased that people remember the most important thing we can do is to remind children of all ages what it is like to be a caring person and neighbor," said Joanne Rogers, Chair of Family Communications. "He was very fond of Pittsburgh's rivers as they represented a place to enjoy peaceful contemplation. Our family is grateful to Mrs. May, Colcom Foundation, the City of Pittsburgh and Allegheny County for this special site that will truly be a 'Tribute to Children' for decades to come," added Mrs. Rogers.

"In designing Tribute to Children, we wanted to be sure we remained true to the original vision of its composition and location," said Louis D. Astorino, chairman of Astorino, the architectural firm responsible for its design and construction. "The result is something that will not only become a regional treasure, but also a destination for national and international visitors for years to come," stated Astorino, who displayed water color renderings of the site design to those in attendance at the groundbreaking ceremony.

Elements: Bridge Pier, Neighborhood of Make-Believe, Bronze Statue & Great View

The site plan at Pittsburgh's North Shore Riverfront Park was previously approved by the city's planning authorities and the SEA, and was reviewed by other interest groups as well. It was also Mrs. May's hope to honor a lifetime of Fred's work with children by having as many people as possible enjoy this public tribute.

Pre-construction will commence during the next few weeks with site preparation followed by removal of a middle section of the bridge pier that will be re-constructed to accommodate the unique design. The project is expected to be completed and unveiled in fall 2008 in conjunction with Pittsburgh's 250th anniversary celebration.

The development will feature a walk around platform -- measuring approximately 96 feet by 59 feet -- and will encompass the old Manchester Bridge pier that has been abandoned since 1970. It will feature a floor design patterned from the studio floor in Mister Rogers' Neighborhood known as the famed 'Neighborhood of Make-Believe.'

From the landside, plans call for visitors to enter 'Tribute to Children' from the street sidewalk and be able to walk around and through a 'keyhole' design in the bridge pier that will feature riverside views of the statue, the river and the city skyline.

On the site's riverside, a bronze statue of Mister Rogers in a seated position and tying his shoe will measure 10 feet 10 inches high. The statue will face the city skyline from where his "beautiful day in the neighborhood" message resonated internationally for more than four decades at the Pittsburgh studio of public television station WQED. Internationally renowned sculptor Robert Berks, famous for his memorable statues of Albert Einstein, John F. Kennedy, and a beloved former mayor of Pittsburgh, Richard Caligiuri, is in the process of completing the Rogers statue.

May 2014

Floor design patterned after studio floor of Mr Rogers’ Neighborhood.

Vietnam Veterans Monument by George Danhires, Ron Bennett

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Grant us peace. That is the translation of the Vietnamese words inscribed on this monument. First dedicated in 1987, the Vietnam Veteran’s Memorial reminds us of the emotional trauma our veteran’s suffered in this war. Those who returned home did so wounded – inside, outside, or both. This monument seems to call out to them with healing thoughts. The homecoming theme calls to all of us. Our military members being welcomed home by their loved ones is a constant. No matter what war or conflict, no matter what decade or century, it’s the one universally good moment they share. For veterans of the Vietnam War though, society failed to do their part to welcome these men and women back. This sculpture seems to make a belated attempt to do that.

It’s a peaceful image. A soldier embracing his family. A mother waiting with open arms for her son to step into them. The sculptures are the work of George Danhires. Overhead wind chimes catch the breeze, the sounds offering up prayers for the dead. The chimes were created by artist Ron Bennett. They hang from an inverted hibiscus – an Asian symbol of birth and regeneration, and a Buddhist peace symbol. This structure was done by Triangle Welding Co.

This design is all about starting over and healing. It offers the hope of new beginnings. The gentle chiming won’t let us forget the price that was paid by many, but at the same time the meditative sounds bring an inner peace and calming.

"Welcome Home" is the theme of this monument and it is accompanied by a poem of the same title, written by T. J. McGarvey, the leading force behind the existence of the monument.

Welcome home to proud men and women

We begin now to fulfill promises
To remember the past
To look to the future

We begin now to complete the final process
Not to make political statements
Not to offer explanations
Not to debate realities

Monuments are erected so that the future
might remember the past

Warriors die and live and die

Let the Historians answer the political questions

Those who served - served
Those who gave all - live in our hearts
Those who are left - continue to give

As long as we remember -

There is still some love left.

T.J. McGarvey

The monument was redesigned with better access by EDAW landscape designers when the Northshore was being reshaped due to the constructions of the new stadiums. It was rededicated in June of 2002.

Update
November 2014

Surrounded by fall color: