Lee Chapel – Washington and Lee University Lexington, Virginia Artwork by John Paul Strain
Many thought of him as the realized King Arthur. Revered and loved by
his soldiers, Robert E. Lee became one of the greatest generals in
American history. A visiting British woman wrote "General Lee is the
handsomest man of his age I ever saw. His manners are most courteous and
full of dignity...he has none of the small vices...and his bitterest
enemy never accused him of any of the greater ones." Perpetually
faithful to his wife, he neither drank, swore or smoked. He prayed for
guidance from the Almighty long and often. As a cadet at West Point he
did not receive a single demerit. His classmates affectionately referred
to him as the "Marble Model".
When Robert E. Lee died on Oct 14,
1870, a funeral procession took his remains to the chapel. VMI Cadet
honor guards stood watch through the night. He was buried beneath the
chapel, where he remains to this day. A year after his death, the
sculptor Edward Valentine was commissioned to create a life size marble
sculpture of General Lee in uniform asleep on his cot. The completed
work entitled "Recumbent Lee" is reminiscent of Medieval sculptures of
the Knights of Old England. In 1933 the United Daughters of the
Confederacy were granted permission to display original Army of Northern
Virginia battle flags with the sculpture. Two brass standards holding
eight original flags and later exact reproductions would be part of
General Robert E. Lee's memorial for over 80 years. Today General Lee's
spirit can still be felt there, along with the soldiers who served with
him.
My daughter woke me around 11:50 last night. My husband and I had picked
her up from her friend Sally's birthday party, brought her home, and put
her to bed. My husband went into the bedroom to read while I fell asleep
watching the Lions game."Mommy," she whispered, tugging my shirt
sleeve. "Guess how old I'm going to be next month.""I don't know,
beauty," I said as I slipped on my glasses. "How old?"She smiled and
held up four fingers.It is 7:30 now. My husband and I have been up with her
for almost 8 hours. She still refuses to tell us where she got them.
Stoppin'
by with yet another tale...Enjoy & have a great night out there on
your end dear friend...
He
awoke to the huge, insect like creatures looming over his bed and
screamed his lungs out. They hastily left the room and he stayed up all
night, shaking and wondering if it had been a dream.The next morning,
there was a tap on the door. Gathering his courage, he opened it to see
one of them gently place a plate filled with fried breakfast on the
floor, then retreat to a safe distance. Bewildered, he accepted the
gift. The creatures chittered excitedly.This happened every day for
weeks. At first he was worried they were fattening him up, but after a
particularly greasy breakfast left him clutching his chest from
heartburn, they were replaced with fresh fruit. As well as cooking, they
poured hot steamy baths for him and even tucked him in when he went to
bed. It was bizarre.One night, he awoke to gunshots and screaming. He
raced downstairs to find a decapitated burglar being devoured by the
insects. He was sickened, but disposed of the remains as best he could.
He knew they had just been protecting him.One morning the creatures
wouldn't let him leave his room. He lay down, confused but trusting as
they ushered him back into bed. Whatever their motives, they weren't
going to hurt him.Hours later a burning pain spread throughout his body.
It felt like his stomach was filled with razor wire. The insects
chittered as he spasmed and moaned. It was only when he felt a terrible
squirming feeling beneath his skin that he realised the insects hadn't
been protecting him. They had been protecting their
young.
Stoppin'
by with tale to help get you into the spirit of Halloween dear
friend...Enjoy & have a great day out there on your
end...
