The
following are the words of Barry Anderson, Clemson University Landscape
Architect and one of the designers of the Memorial from August 18, 2010. “The Scroll of Honor Memorial successfully
tells an important part of the Clemson story and has quickly become a
significant destination of interest for all who visit the campus. Even in its earliest stages of design, the
memorial was conceived as a place people of all ages could go to gain an
understanding of the sacrifice that was common among a special group of
Clemson's alumni. Given the diverse background of those in the Clemson family,
it has been important that the memorial speak to a variety of audiences. No matter your age or background, the memorial is intended to speak at many levels
so that all visitors leave the place having gained something by being
there.
Equally
important is the notion that the memorial embodies a clear and simple
expression of the character and attributes held among Clemson's fallen. During the memorial's design, this expression
would become the circular form
symbolizing unity within this select group of people and more broadly
represents the devotion that ultimately all within the Clemson family should
share. The softness of basic and unrefined stone elements was employed
within the memorial to celebrate the
uniqueness of the individuals while the assembly
of the pieces around a mound or barrow celebrates their common bond. The unassuming character of the memorial with
its earthen mound, colonnade of elms, sitting boulders and gravel path is
contrasted against the refined, clean surfaces and edges of the adjacent entry
plaza. This contrast of material imbues a sense of timelessness. This is important since we not only recognize
the attributes of these people in our past, but also recognize and demand of
ourselves a continued commitment to carry forward the ideals demonstrated
through such selfless acts.”
Additional
symbolism in the design of the Scroll includes the following. The overall design is simple, yet dignified –
like an outdoor chapel. The mound is
circular in design to represent that duty, honor, and country are values that
transcend time. The legacy of these
heroes will never end, just as Roy Pearce wrote in 1944: “we’ll never let them
down, never!”
The
names are engraved in the stones in random fashion, just as the men fell on the
battlefield. There is no pattern to
death in war.
The stones are mounted in the barrow at an angle so that visitors must bow their heads to read the names on the stones – as if in reverence to the memory of the heroes.
The stones are mounted in the barrow at an angle so that visitors must bow their heads to read the names on the stones – as if in reverence to the memory of the heroes.
The
trees are all slanted toward the barrow as if bowing to pay homage to the
sacrifices of the honorees.
The
area above the barrow is clear so that visitors can look up toward heaven as if
to pay respect to the honorees.
The
inscription on the base of the National Colors Monument – “Freedom is not Free”
– tells the story of the sacrifice made by all these great men.
The bronze
Tigers at the entrance of the Scroll represent a perpetual honor guard to
ensure the sanctity of the Memorial.
They appear to be engaged in a conversation about their responsibility.
The Sacrifice Represented by
the Scroll of Honor
Beginning
with the first graduating class of 1896, Clemson alumni have 119 years of
history of service to their country. They have served in the fields of science,
medicine, education, industry, agriculture, government, religion, and many
others. In addition, thousands of alumni
have served in the armed forces.
As a
land grant institution established under the Morrill Act, Clemson was required
to teach its students military science.
For 66 years, Clemson was a military college. Then, from 1955 – 1970, freshmen and
sophomores were required to participate in ROTC. Today, Clemson still has almost 300 students
who participate in Military Science courses on a voluntary basis.
Clemson
Alumni have been highly decorated for their service and sacrifices. Some received the nation’s highest military
honor – the Medal of Honor – for acts of heroism in combat. Several were captured and held for periods of
up to 6 years as prisoners of war, suffering extreme torture and isolation –
like Colonel Ben Skardon. See the video and read the story by following the links below.
But
the group who should receive the greatest honor of all consists of those 489
alumni who gave the ultimate sacrifice in service to their country. They died while performing their military
duties during combat operations, training, and deployments. The numbers by war or engagements are as
follows: 32 in WW I, 1 in the Nicaragua Campaign, 376 in WW II, 19 in Korea, 1
in the Cuban Missile Crisis, 30 in Viet Nam, 27 in the Cold War, and 3 in the
War on Terrorism. Unfortunately,
additional research may prove more names will be added in the near future.
These
489 alumni represent the diversity of the Clemson family. Their majors included agronomy, animal
husbandry, architecture, economics, engineering, finance, forestry,
horticulture, industrial management, parks and recreation, pre-med, textiles,
vocational agriculture education, and many more.
They
were ordinary and exceptional students.
A 1916 alumnus killed in WW I was described as “the strongest man on the
football team.” Another was called “the
most popular man in the Class of 1935.” One was a 4-star athlete in football, basketball,
baseball, and track. Others were members
of the swimming team, wrestling team, boxing team, and the soccer team before
it was a scholarship sport. Others were cheerleaders and members of the
band. Several were Eagle Scouts. One was a member of the Rifle Team that won
the ACC championship. As you would expect,
many were members of various student military organizations such as the Senior
Platoon, Pershing Rifles, Scabbard and Blade and the Arnold Air Society. Many left Clemson before graduating to join
the military to fight the world wars as they felt it was their duty. Some returned to Clemson to finish their
education; many did not. As part of the
project of gathering information about each of these fallen soldiers, The
Clemson Corps has many, many letters and emails sent in by family members and
friends to document their sacrifices. One
of those letters speaks volumes.
Mrs. Emily McCoy Adams from Bostic, NC, recounts the
story of her cousin, William T. McCoy who was killed in WW II. She added a postscript that reads, “My
husband, James A. Adams, was in the U.S. Navy for 20 years 1940-1960, but thank
The Good Lord he did not have to give the ultimate sacrifice.”
However,
489 and counting of Clemson’s alumni did.
They are buried in the church cemeteries, the Arlington National
Cemetery, in military cemeteries in Hawaii, France, Germany, Italy, and the
Philippines. Some were buried at
sea. Some will never come home as they
are still missing in action across Europe, Asia, and the Pacific. It is my wish that the 70 bodies that have
been recently recovered from the Battle
of Tawanara are some of Clemson’s missing. Read the article about the recovery.
In
the April 7, 1944, edition of The Tiger, then student Roy Pearce wrote, “It
made me sad to read the honor roll…All were great men and we’ll never let them
down, never!” In 2003 The Clemson Corps
established the Scroll of Honor to recognize in perpetuity the sacrifices of
these Clemson heroes. During this Cub
process [the Freshman year at Clemson while it was a military school which
would be the equivalent of the Knob year at The Citadel], you have no doubt
been challenged. You have experienced
anxiety, doubt, frustration, and fatigue – and you will continue to do so. But when you are at your lowest, I challenge
you to remember the sacrifices of these Clemson brothers. Anything that you will experience will pale in
comparison to their sacrifices. Tigers,
we depend upon you to Keep the Tradition of Service to Clemson Alive!
In
2003 The Clemson Corps established the Scroll of Honor to recognize in
perpetuity the sacrifices of these Clemson heroes. Each of these heroes has his own story. Next, I will share a few of those stories.
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