Wednesday, January 21, 2009

Fallen Heroes


Centurion- Jus Fides Libertatum is a bronze by Birmingham artist Branko Medenica.  Commissioned by the Birmingham Fraternal Order of Police, the memorial honors the more than 60 police officers that have died in the line of duty since 1889.  Located at the Mel Baily Criminal Justice Center, it is a powerful reminder of the sacrifices made by our city's law enforcement officers.


The Tune du Jour is " Consolation" by Michael Dulin


Discover Michael Dulin!

23 comments:

King of New York Hacks said...

Brilliant. A reat reminder and song to reflect on those that lost their lives. My father was a cop, retired now. I bow down to you as usual.Well done.

Bhavesh Chhatbar said...

Posts like this are rare

alice said...

Ok, but today, your heroe is up!

Nathalie H.D. said...

I agree with Alice, I probably wouldn't have chose to do a post on fallen heroes just after Barack Obama's inauguration. To me it's a bad omen. But maybe I'm just being stupidly superstitious.

Yesterday was a wonderful day. I watched the ceremony on CNN.
Lots of love from over the Atlantic.

I love Michael Dulin's piano today.

Nathalie H.D. said...

Correcting my typo : I wouldn't have chosen... of course

tr3nta said...

hello Virginia, I'm back from my long vacation, which u an happy 2009...

Unknown said...

I think we all hope new politics will make a decreasing number of fallen heroes. They just have to keep them in mind and don't do the same 'mistakes' (to say the least...)! This is a good omen.

Virginia said...

Nathalie,
I chose this photograph because I have admired this piece of sculpture every time I pass it on my way to the museum. Hope it didn't give anyone the wrong impression. Thank you again for your warm remarks about our new president! And I will tell Michael that you enjoy his musici as well.

Tr3nta,
You're back! I was worried about you. That was a nice long vacation. Hope you took lots pictures!

King, Glad you liked this post. I am sure you are very proud of your father and his service to his community.

Tash said...

It is an admirable sculpture. No bad omens here, just rememberance to those who serve.

Tash said...

PS thanks for the link to the artist. He sounds to be of Serbian or Croatian heritage.

PJ said...

This is public art at it's best and Birmingham seems blessed with so many wonderful sculptures.
Speeking of public art, didn't you just love Aretha yesterday?

Anonymous said...

Stunning piece of work.

Thérèse said...

"...Rather, it has been the risk-takers, the doers, the makers of things — some celebrated but more often men and women obscure in their labour, who have carried us up the long, rugged path towards prosperity and freedom.
..."
Part of the inaugural address.

Virginia said...

Tash, I am going to have to seek out more of Medenica's work here. I thnk he is very talented!

Thérèse what a fitting quote to go along with this piece. Merci.

PJ, Aretha was a fab as always and that hat.....oh my, she was stylin'! when are you coming up here so we can check out all the sculpture together??

Bob Crowe said...

This is an interesting topic. Lots of American cities have such statues dedicated to police and firefighters. We have one, also in front of a courthouse. The style and pose is very different but the feeling is the same. I should go take a picture of it for one of my posts.

alice said...

Virginia, I didn't want to be unpleasant with you this morning, I hope I was not.

Pat said...

Beautiful sculpture. I believe Brano Medenica is of Serbian/Montenegrin origin. I Googled him, but there's nothing about this. Maybe you can do a bit of sleuthing?

Virginia said...

Alice,
Absolutely not! Your were being quite positive about our new president! Merci mon amie.

Bibi, Will try and find out more for you!

Janet said...

An appropriate and beautiful reminder of the sacrifice that some of our law officers must make.

PeterParis said...

Yes, let's hope for less fallen heroes in the future - or none! Let's dream and hope!

Ken Mac said...

this is classy

Jane Hards Photography said...

Love to see more of the work. Sculptures really are creative. Very fitting tribute.

Kate said...

A beautifully done and very strong sculpture to recognize many unsung heroes.