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Author
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Topic: Wernher von Braun's memorial marker
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Canaveral
Member Posts: 29
From: Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Registered: Oct 2005
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posted 06-05-2006 07:20 PM
   
I have no idea how I stumbled across this tonight, but I do find it odd that a man of Wernher von Braun's stature and accomplishments in America has such a simple memorial... |
Robert Pearlman
Editor Posts: 42988
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999
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posted 06-05-2006 07:37 PM
It was the desire of his family. In "Dr. Space" by Bob Ward, the marker is described as follows: Before the day was over — and purposely before word of his death spread — he was buried in Ivy Hill Cemetery, in a churchyard in Alexandria. Present were his family and a few friends. No news reporters, photographers, or television-cameras; no admiring fans — and no potential troublemakers. His simple headstone was engraved:WERNHER VON BRAUN, 1912-1977
Psalms: 19:1 The Old Testament citation in stone was of his longtime favorite scriptural passage, a soaring Psalm of David: "The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament showeth His handiwork." Reading between the lines, it seems as though his family was aware of the split legacy that von Braun left behind and chose a marker that would avoid any "troublemakers" looking to use his grave site as a medium for dissension. |
413 is in
Member Posts: 628
From: Alexandria, VA USA
Registered: May 2006
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posted 06-05-2006 08:17 PM
Ivy Hill is just a short walk from my home in Alexandria, VA. Here are some pictures taken in October of last year. |
collocation
Member Posts: 383
From: McLean, VA, USA
Registered: Feb 2004
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posted 06-05-2006 08:27 PM
As I live in the area, I always thought it was strange that Von Braun was buried in Alexandria, VA. Anyone know the reasoning for this place
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413 is in
Member Posts: 628
From: Alexandria, VA USA
Registered: May 2006
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posted 06-05-2006 08:34 PM
I believe he was working at Fairchild Industries in Germantown, MD and he and his family were living in Alexandria, VA at the time. |
collocation
Member Posts: 383
From: McLean, VA, USA
Registered: Feb 2004
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posted 06-06-2006 09:00 AM
Yes, knew his last job was for Fairchild off 270 in Maryland, just thought Alexandria was a "unique" spot, thought Hunstville would have been more appropriate, many of the Germans working for him equated Huntsville with the German country side. | |
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