It took seven years, but President Obama’s contribution to the Altar of the Nation has finally arrived in Rindge.
Although he was not there to deliver it himself, a stone from Pearl Harbor was sent to the Cathedral of the Pines on Monday morning. Accompanying the stone was U.S. Sen. Jeanne Shaheen and a letter from Obama himself.
“I am honored to dedicate a stone from Pearl Harbor to the Altar of the Nation in solemn remembrance of the sacrifices generations of American service members and their families have made in defense of our country,” states Obama’s letter, as read by Shaheen. “At this altar, and across our nation, we remember our fallen troops with immeasurable gratitude.”
The Altar of the Nation is a national memorial at the Cathedral of the Pines in Rindge, dedicated to American men and women who lost their lives in war. Built in 1946 and recognized as a national memorial by Congress in 1957, the memorial is home to historical stones from all 50 states and every president since Harry Truman.
“We’ve been working on getting this stone here for a long time,” said Shaheen. “It was physically carried here from Hawaii.”
Cathedral of the Pines Executive Director Laurie Kandoll said she has been on a mission to get the stone to Rindge since she began working for the Cathedral in 2009.
“We weren’t hearing back from the White House, so it took us a while,” said Kandoll, who said the Cathedral reaches out to every president shortly after they take office. “It was actually Sen. Shaheen that really helped to get things going for us.”
Kandoll said the softball-sized lava rock was handpicked by Obama during one of his recent family vacations to to his home state of Hawaii. With the rock finally in the hands of the Cathedral, Kandoll said she will work with a mason to get the stone placed.
“This is a very exciting experience,” said Kandoll, noting this was her first time witnessing a presidential stone’s arrival. “It’s hard to put into words. Knowing the importance of this stone and this monument is both overwhelming and amazing.”
Cathedral of the Pines Trustee Shirley Mahoney said that, in addition to the most recent presentation, she has been in attendance for the presentation of stones from Presidents Jimmy Carter, George H.W. Bush, Bill Clinton and George W. Bush.
“This memorial is to honor all veterans, and is a constant reminder of their sacrifice,” said Mahoney. “I enjoy coming up here because of the peace, quiet and serenity.”
Cathedral of the Pines Board of Trustees Chair Donald Upton called the stone’s arrival a “wonderful time,” adding that he hopes to have another ceremony when the stone is placed.
Upton said in the near future a mason will come to the memorial to determine which stone should be pulled from the memorial to make room for Obama’s. The process involves pulling one of the altar’s original stones, making sure to not pull a stone of significance, and placing the Obama stone in its place.
The altar has a number of interesting stones from different time periods and places. Obama’s Pearl Harbor stone will join a stone from the Pentagon given by President George W. Bush; a stone from Omaha Beach, Normandy, France, given by President Dwight D. Eisenhower; and a stone from President Lyndon B. Johnson’s ranch in Texas.
There are also stones from Plymouth, England, where the pilgrims left, and one from Plymouth Rock, where they arrived in America. Stones from the battlefields of Lexington, Concord and Yorktown, and stones from the Parthenon in Athens and the Colosseum in Rome also grace the altar.
“We will find a great spot for this stone,” said Upton. “This is an amazing monument, and a work of art.”
Nicholas Handy can be reached at 924-7172 ext. 235.