(Sorry for the delay in getting out official information - we will create official content for the manual over the summer. Submit your ideas for Big Idea - ask students for their thoughts on a Big Idea for this site.)
Please feel free add to this thread info you have gleaned that other EPLs will find beneficial.
*Restrooms & Gift Shop hours according to website are generally 9:30A - 5:00PM*
https://www.nps.gov/ddem/learn/historyculture/index.htm
Dwight D Eisenhower Memorial
(info taken from NPS)
Dedication - initially scheduled for May 8, 2020, the 75th anniversary of Victory in Europe Day, but was postponed to September 17, 2020
INTRO - Through self-sacrifice, dedication, and belief in the American spirit, Dwight D. Eisenhower truly and positively shaped our nation in countless ways.
LOCATION
Located at the base of Capitol Hill, the Dwight D. Eisenhower Memorial is surrounded by the U.S. Department of Education, the Federal Aviation Administration, Voice of America, and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services — all institutions to which Eisenhower was closely connected Together, these buildings demonstrate Eisenhower’s broad promotion of improved national infrastructure, the foundation upon which he worked to build “a peace with justice in a world where moral law prevails.”
DESCRIPTION
Enter the memorial at the northwest plaza:
A life-sized sculpture of young Eisenhower and an inscription excerpted from his “Abilene Homecoming Speech” connect with Eisenhower’s personal story as a humble citizen, raised in America’s heartland – Kansas.
Dwight Eisenhower returned to Abilene on June 22, 1945 to a parade welcoming him home and honoring his leadership in Europe during World War II. After watching the celebration, his grateful acceptance of the recognition began with the below quote. He went on to say that this parade was not just for him; he was only a "symbol" of the soldiers, sailors and airmen who helped bring Allied victory.
Homecoming Speech Inscription
Because no man is really a man who has lost out of himself all of the boy, I want to speak first of the dreams of a barefoot boy. Frequently, they are to be of a street car conductor or he sees himself as the town policeman, above all he may reach to a position of locomotive engineer, but always in his dreams is that day when he finally comes home. Comes home to a welcome from his own home town. Because today that dream of mine of 45 years or more ago has been realized beyond the wildest stretches of my own imagination, I come here, first, to thank you, to say the proudest thing I can claim is that I am from Abilene.
Abilene, Kansas
June 22, 1945
At the center of the site is the contemplative memorial space where Eisenhower’s legacy unfolds.
Heroic-sized bronze sculptures, stone bas reliefs, and quotations from his most famous speeches and addresses celebrate Eisenhower’s contributions to our nation as Supreme Commander of the Allied Expeditionary Force in World War II and as the nation’s 34th President. General Eisenhower is commemorated in a bronze sculpture inspired by the famous photograph taken with the Army’s 101st Airborne Division before their Normandy invasion. Behind the sculptures is a bas relief depicting the landings at Normandy on D-Day, June 6, 1944.
D-Day Address To Troops Inscription (on front)
The tide has turned: The free men of the world are marching together to Victory!
June 6, 1944
On June 12, 1945, General Eisenhower spoke after receiving the “Freedom of the City” at London’s Guildhall, a symbolic act first recorded in 1237 and making him a citizen of the city.
Guildhall Address Inscription (on back)
Humility must always be the portion of any man who receives acclaim earned in the blood of his followers and sacrifices of his friends. Conceivably a commander may have been professionally superior. He may have given everything of his heart and mind to meet the spiritual and physical needs of his comrades. He may have written a chapter that will glow forever in the pages of military history. Still, even such a man — if he existed — would sadly face the facts that his honors cannot hide in his memories the crosses marking the resting places of the dead. They cannot soothe the anguish of the widow or the orphan whose husband or father will not return. The only attitude in which a commander may with satisfaction receive the tributes of his friends is in the humble acknowledgment that no matter how unworthy he may be, his position is the symbol of great human forces that have labored arduously and successfully for a righteous cause. Unless he feels this symbolism and this rightness in what he has tried to do, then he is disregardful of the courage, the fortitude, and the devotion of the vast multitudes he has been honored to command. If all allied men and women that have served with me in this war can only know that it is they whom this august body is really honoring today, then indeed I will be content. No petty differences in the world of trade, traditions, or national pride should ever blind us to our identities in priceless values. If we keep our eyes on this guidepost, then no difficulties along our path of mutual co-operation can ever be insurmountable. Moreover, when this truth has permeated to the remotest hamlet and heart of all peoples, then indeed may we beat our swords into plowshares and all nations can enjoy the fruitfulness of the Earth. London, England June 12, 1945 President Eisenhower (34th) is commemorated in a bronze sculptural grouping. Flanking the president are figures representative of civilian interests and military power, with Eisenhower firmly in charge of balancing the two forces. Behind the sculptures is a map of the world in bas relief symbolizing Eisenhower’s internationalism and role as a world statesman.
Second Inaugural Address Inscription (on front)
We look upon this shaken earth, and we declare our firm and fixed purpose - the building of a peace with justice in a world where moral law prevails. Second Inaugural Address - January 21, 1957 Read the entire speech here, or watch it here.
First Inaugural Address (on back)
We must be ready to dare all for our country. For history does not long entrust the care of freedom to the weak or the timid. We must acquire proficiency in defense and display stamina in purpose. We must be willing, individually and as a nation, to accept whatever sacrifices may be required of us. A people that values its privileges above its principles soon loses both. Patriotism means equipped forces and a prepared citizenry. Moral stamina means more energy and more productivity, on the farm and in the factory. Love of liberty means the guarding of every resource that makes freedom possible — from the sanctity of our families and the wealth of our soil to the genius of our scientists. And so each citizen plays an indispensable role. The productivity of our heads, our hands and our hearts is the source of all the strength we can command, for both the enrichment of our lives and the winning of the Peace. This is the hope that beckons us onward in this century of trial. This is the work that awaits us all, to be done with bravery, with charity and with prayer to almighty God. Washington, DC January 20, 1953 Read the entire speech here, or watch it here.
Farewell Address
Throughout America’s adventure in free government, our basic purposes have been to keep the peace; to foster progress in human achievement, and to enhance liberty, dignity and integrity among people and among nations. A vital element in keeping the peace is our military establishment. Our arms must be mighty, ready for instant action, so that no potential aggressor may be tempted to risk his own destruction. This conjunction of an immense military establishment and a large arms industry is new in the American experience. v We recognize the imperative need for this development. Yet we must not fail to comprehend its grave implications. In the councils of government, we must guard against the acquisition of unwarranted influence, whether sought or unsought, by the military-industrial complex. Akin to and largely responsible for the sweeping changes in our industrial-military posture, has been the technological revolution during recent decades. It is the task of statesmanship to mold, to balance, and to integrate these and other forces, new and old, within the principles of our democratic system — ever aiming toward the supreme goals of our free society. We pray that...all peoples will come to live together in a peace guaranteed by the binding force of mutual respect and love. Washington, DC
January 17, 1961 Read the entire speech here, or watch it here.
The Tapestry (on Dept Ed Building) –
The memorial is framed by a unique transparent tapestry which features an image of France’s Normandy coastline made from artistically woven stainless-steel cable.
The iconic Pointe du Hoc landmark featured in peacetime symbolically represents the peace Eisenhower won as Supreme Commander of the Allied Expeditionary Force in World War II, and the peace he kept and nurtured as the 34th President during a unique time when the United States emerged onto the global stage. DWIGHT DAVID EISENHOWER CHRONOLOGY
October 14, 1890: Ike was born in Denison, Texas, third of seven sons of David Jacob and Ida Elizabeth Stover Eisenhower.
1892: The family returned to Abilene, Kansas.
1909: Ike graduated from Abilene High School.
June 14, 1911: Entered United States Military Academy, West Point, New York.
June 12, 1915: Graduated and commissioned a Second Lieutenant.
July 1, 1916: Married Mamie Geneva Doud of Denver, Colorado. First son, Doud Dwight, born September 24, 1917, and died January 2, 1921. Second son, John Sheldon Doud, born August 3, 1922.
1915-1920: Served with the Infantry September 1915 to February 1918 - was promoted to Major on July 2, 1920.
July 7-September 6, 1919: Volunteered to participate as a Tank Corps observer in the First Transcontinental Motor Convoy.
January 1922–September 1924: Assigned as executive officer to General Fox Conner, Camp Gaillard, Panama Canal Zone. Served in various capacities in Maryland and Colorado until August 1925.
August 19, 1925: Entered Command and General Staff School, Ft. Leavenworth, Kansas; graduated first in a class of 245, June 18, 1926.
August 1926-January 1927: Served as executive officer, 24th Infantry Regiment, Ft. Benning, Georgia.
January-August 1927: Served in Washington, D.C. office, writing a guidebook to World War I battlefields for American Battle Monuments Commission, directed by General John J. Pershing.
August 27, 1927: Entered Army War College, Washington, D.C. and graduated June 30, 1928.
July 1928-September 1929: In charge of guidebook revision and European office, Paris, France.
November 29, 1929-February 1933: Served as executive officer to General George V. Moseley, Assistant Secretary of War, Washington, D.C.
1933-September 1935: Served as chief military aide to General Douglas MacArthur, Army Chief of Staff.
September 1935-December 1939: Assigned to General MacArthur as assistant military advisor to the Philippine Government.
July 1, 1936: Promoted to Lieutenant Colonel.
February 1940-November 1940: Assigned to General DeWitt Clinton, Commander, 15th Infantry, for a short term in Ft. Ord, California, and then permanently to Ft. Lewis, Washington as regimental executive. Chief of Staff for General Thompson, Commander, 3rd Division, Ft. Lewis until March 1941. Served as Chief of Staff to General Kenyon Joyce, Commander 9th Army Corps, Ft. Lewis, until June 1941. Designated Chief of Staff to General Walter Kreuger, Commander 3rd Army, Ft. Sam Houston, Texas, June 1941 to December 1941. Promoted to Colonel (temporary), March 11, 1941, and to Brigadier General (temporary), September 29, 1941.
December 1941-June 1942: Assigned to General Staff, Washington, D.C. Named Deputy Chief in charge of Pacific Defenses under Chief of War Plans Division, General Leonard Gerow, December 1941. Designated as Chief of War Plans Division, February 1942.
March 27, 1942: Promoted to Major General (temporary).
April 1942: Appointed Assistant Chief of Staff in charge of Operations Division for General George Marshall, Chief of Staff.
May 1942: Conducted mission to increase cooperation among World War II allies, London, England. Designated Commanding General, European Theater, London, England, June 1942. Named Commander-in-Chief, Allied Forces, North Africa, November 1942.
July 7, 1942: Promoted to Lieutenant General (temporary).
February 11, 1943: Promoted to General (4 stars) (temporary).
August 30, 1943: Appointed Brigadier General (permanent) and was promoted to Major General (permanent) on the same date.
December 1943: Appointed Supreme Commander, Allied Expeditionary Forces.
June 6, 1944: Commanded forces of Normandy invasion.
December 20, 1944: Promoted to General of the Army (5 stars). Shortly after the German surrender, May 8, 1945, appointed Military Governor, U.S. Occupied Zone, Frankfurt, Germany.
November 19, 1945: Designated as Chief of Staff, U.S. Army.
April 11, 1946: Wartime rank of General of the Army converted to permanent rank.
June 7, 1948: Inaugurated as President, Columbia University, New York City.
December 16, 1950: Named Supreme Allied Commander, North Atlantic Treaty Organization, Europe, and given operational command of Treaty Organization, Europe and given operational command of U.S. Forces, Europe.
May 31, 1952: Retired from active service and resigned his commission July 1952.
June 4, 1952: Announced his candidacy for the Republican Party nomination for President in Abilene, Kansas.
January 20, 1953-January 20, 1961: Served two terms as President of the United States; brought armistice to Korean War; promoted Atoms for Peace; dealt with crises in Lebanon, Suez, Berlin, and Hungary; established the U.S. Information Agency; created the Federal Council on Aging; saw Alaska and Hawaii become states; authorized the St. Lawrence Seaway and the Interstate Highway System; signed the 1957 Civil Rights Act, the first civil rights legislation since end of Civil War; sent federal troops to enforce court-ordered integration of Little Rock Central High School; signed the bill creating the National Aeronautics and Space Administration.
January 17, 1961: Delivered his famous Farewell Address warning the nation of the “military-industrial complex.”
March 1961: By Public Law 87-3, signed by President John F. Kennedy, Eisenhower returned to active list of regular Army with rank of General of the Army from December 1944.
January 1961-March 1969: Maintained office at Gettysburg College and residence at his farm near Gettysburg, Pennsylvania.
March 28, 1969: Died at Walter Reed Army Hospital in Washington, DC.
April 2, 1969: Buried in the Place of Meditation at the Eisenhower Presidential Library in Abilene, Kansas.
Additional Notes (thank you Traci)
Faith –
His family was deeply religious. His family set aside time at breakfast and dinner to have bible readings. Ike described himself as a deeply religious man.
When Ike was a freshman in high school he got an infection in his leg that went up into his groin area. The doctor wanted to amputate. He prayed and believed he would be fine. The doctor came to the house to do so, and Ike sent his brother to the door to not let him in. Guess what - his wound healed up.
At Ike's inauguration, he is the one that turned to the crowd and prayed. A President unafraid or ashamed to pray for the nation - out loud!!
Education –
After he graduated in 1909, (because of this wound, he had to repeat a year of school, which put him in the same class as his brother.) The family couldn't afford to send them to school, there were 7 brothers. He and his closest brother, decided to make a pact. They would alternate working and going to school for a year, so they could both go.
Various Facts –
Camp David is name after his grandson
He banished squirrels from the White House when he was president because they were eating his putting green
1st president to ride in a helicopter
After being in the army and being president, where teams of people work for you, he retired to Gettysburg. He picked up the phone to make a call and wondered why the operator wasn't picking up. He was told you have to dial for yourself now! He had been in public service a long time!
The young secret service that protected him at Gettysburg were bored there with nothing to do - DDE would engage them in sports to relieve the boredom
He was a crazy jeep driver - everyone in Gettysburg knew to get out of his way if they saw him coming
Here is a scan of the Eisenhower on-site brochure in case it will help anyone.