Showcasing Chicago One Image at a Time

Day 184: For My Grandpa

Posted on July 4, 2011 by eaj81

Today is the fourth of July, be sure to remember and thank those who fought to defend this country and everything it stands for and keep it safe. I’m lucky enough to have two grandfathers who proudly fought for this country in WWII. Unfortunately, a few weeks ago one of those brave men passed away at the age of 88. He enlisted in 1943 and served in the Army Corps Engineers in the 1303rd Engineer General Service Regiment. At the age of 20 he shipped off for the European Theater where he provided support for the D-Day Invasion of Normandy. Under the command of General George S. Patton, he fought his way across Europe paving the way for Allied supply lines who’s primary functions was one of Patton’s fighting bridge builders who repaired and rebuilt all of the destroyed infrastructure of the war-torn cities. Eventually, his regiment went on to play an important role in Normandy, Northern France, Rhineland, Ardennes, and Central Europe. In March of 1945 he was wounded in action in Luxembourg and received the Purple Heart for his wounds. After the unconditional surrender of Germany, his regiment was shipped to the Pacific Theater where they spent time in the Philippines and Japan.

So in his honor, for all that he and his fellow heroes did in that war, and all that fought in the wars before it and after, just wanted to say thanks for all your sacrifices that you did to protect our country and it’s Allies.

I miss you Grandpa!

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Day 183: Cloud-to-Cloud Lightning

Posted on July 3, 2011 by eaj81

Cloud-to-cloud lightning refers to lightning discharges occurring between cloud areas without contacting the ground. It can be further divided into inter- and intra-cloud lightning; the former referring to lightning between two separate clouds and the latter to lightning within a single cloud. Intra-cloud lightning – also called in-cloud lightning – is more common than inter-cloud lightning as single clouds can be huge with areas of differing electric potential.

This photo was taken from Montrose Harbor looking South toward the city.

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Day 182: Lightning in the Storm

Posted on July 2, 2011 by eaj81

Taken from Montrose Harbor looking North East over the lake, you can see the bolts of lightning and the rain coming down over the lake.

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Day 181: Lightning Strikes

Posted on July 1, 2011 by eaj81

Here is a great shot of the lightning from the storm last night over the lake from Foster Ave Beach.

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Day 180: Havlicek

Posted on June 30, 2011 by eaj81

Created by Josef Strachovsky (1850–1913), a sculptor from Praugue, the standing bronze figure of Karel Havlicek (1821– 1856) was portrayed as though he is giving an impassioned speech—with one hand clutching his cape and the other extended out in a dramatic fashion. The Bohemian journalist, critic, and poet who had advocated for constitutional reform and national rights was considered a martyr because he died soon after an unjust arrest and four years of exile.

Chicago’s Havlicek statue was placed on an elegant granite plaza with steps and a wall that included the following inscription: “In him Bohemia lost one of her best sons, a fearless defender of her rights and liberties, a man of sterling character. For which life sacrificed, his life!” In July of 1911, the festivities for the new Karel Havlicek Monument included a parade with elaborate floats followed by a procession of adults and children dressed in traditional Bohemian costumes. Governor Charles S. Deneen and Mayor Carter Harrison II unveiled the monument.

Over the years, the Karel Havlicek Monument was frequently vandalized and damaged. In 1976, the communities of Cicero and Berwyn, which both have large populations of Bohemian and Slovak Americans, asked the Chicago Park District to allow the monument to be relocated to one of the two suburbs. Although the Park District did not approve this proposal, it complied with the Czechoslovak Society of America’s suggestion to find a new location for the sculpture in Chicago. In 1983, the monument was conserved and installed on Solidarity Drive near the Kosciusko and Copernicus monuments. Unfortunately, portions of the sculpture’s granite exedra were demolished when it was erected in its current location. View of monument in the center of Northerly Island’s Solidarity Drive looking east.

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Day 179: Crossing the Streams

Posted on June 29, 2011 by eaj81

This reminds me of Dr Peter Venkman in the 1984 movie GhostBusters saying… “Don’t cross the streams”.

This is a photo of the streams of water crossing from two separate fire trucks during a demonstration at the Chicago Fire Academy.

Posted in Amusement, Chicago, Festivals, Fire Department, Firefighters, Life | Leave a comment

Day 178: Benjamin Franklin Monument

Posted on June 28, 2011 by eaj81

American founding father Benjamin Franklin (1706–1790) was a writer, philosopher,inventor, ambassador, politician and scientist who is best remembered for his famous kite-flying experiment which proved that electricity could be harnessed from lighting. He also made significant contributions to American journalism. In addition to improving the printing press, he was an accomplished author, newspaper editor, and printer.

Recognizing all of Benjamin Franklin’s contributions, Joseph Medill, editor of the Chicago Tribune wrote “I have deemed it a personal duty to keep his memory fresh in the minds of Chicago’s youth.” Along with the Old Time Printers Association, Medill hired sculptor Richard Henry Park (1832–1902) to create the Benjamin Franklin Monument. Park came to Chicago from New York to participate in the 1893 World’s Columbian Exposition. As part of the fair’s Montana Mining exhibit, he sculpted a solid silver statue. Among his extant sculptures is the Drake Fountain now located near 92nd Street and Exchange Avenue on Chicago’s South Side.

For the Benjamin Franklin Monument, Medill wanted “as faithful a reproduction of the features and form of this great American as the best talent can make.” Park complied by creating this nine-foot-six-inch tall bronze standing figure of Franklin depicted in Colonial style breeches, waistcoat and knee-length coat. The monument was originally located on the east side of the Lincoln Park Zoo near the South Lagoon. In 1966, the Chicago Park District moved the The Franklin Monument was originally located near Old Lake Shore Drive, now Cannon Dr., CPD Special Collections, ca. 1935.