Benedict Arnold Memorial Made In Vermont

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[chance33_98]

Benedict Arnold Memorial Made In Vermont

Vt. Stone Carver Makes Slate For Traitor's Grave In England

POSTED: 3:51 pm EST March 31, 2004 UPDATED: 4:09 pm EST March 31, 2004

The most controversial figure of the Revolutionary War is about to get a new gravestone.

Benedict Arnold was a war hero in the battles on Lake Champlain who turned traitor and defected to the British. But soon his gravesite in England will be honored with a memorial created by a Vermont artist.

Walter Celley is a stone carver at Rock of Ages working on a slate that in May will be added to Arnold's crypt in an English churchyard. How does Celley feel about working on a memorial to an American turncoat?

"I don't mind at all. We all have to do what we have to do, I guess," Celley said.

A spokesman for Rock of Ages, Bob Caron, explained why the company is making a marker to honor a traitor.

"We think that everybody deserves to have a memorial, and we understand his notorious past, but we also understand his legacy and how important he was to our country, and we think that's important to be noted," Caron said.

The $15,000 memorial is being paid for by Bill Stanley, a retired stockbroker from Norwich, Conn., who has been leading a movement to recognize Arnold's contributions to the American Revolution before he switched sides and tried to sell West Point to the British.

"Benedict Arnold was really one of our greatest generals and turned the battle of Saratoga in our favor to the extent that after that battle that we won, the French came and supported us, and we probably would not have won the revolution without Benedict Arnold," Caron said.

Arnold, alongside Ethan Allen, seized Fort Ticonderoga from the British and then led America's first naval fleet to head off the British invasion in the battle of Valcour, paving the way for an American victory.

"He's the classic tragic hero in that he has all these wonderful qualities, yet he had that Achilles' heel," Caron said.

Celley's slate, which will replace a peeling painting that now marks the graves of Arnold, his wife and daughter, will refer to the "enduring friendship" now felt between the British and Americans.

[Peter J. Huss]

When I was stationed for a summer at West Pointe, NY, I went for a day hike to the other side of the Hudson. On the road, across from the Military Academy, is the home of the imfamous traitor. It was in shambles.

It seemed to me that, perhaps our British friends, could fork over some money and restore the home.

Just a thought.

[boomop1]

Hitler next, reference the "enduring friendship" once felt between the German and Americans.

[Lion in Winter]

What a maroon!

He was a traitor... Tim McVEY was an American soldier before he helped to kill all those folks in Oklahoma. So, WHAT? make a nice grave stone for him while you are at Mr.rich but stupid stockbroker!

Next time I go to England... the new grave marker will make a great target! pizzzzzzzz!!

[Shooter 2.5]

A study claims that Thomas Jefferson "fathered" a child during the clintoon scandals.

A memorial is made for Benedict Arnold during the kerry debates.

For the dems, timing is everything.

[CROSSHIGHWAYMAN]

Perhaps former Governor Dean could host a DNC fundraiser for John Kerry at the memorial.

[Oztrich Boy]

A study claims that Thomas Jefferson "fathered" a child during the clintoon scandals.

At 255 years old? I'm impressed.

[Tribune7]

A spokesman for Rock of Ages, Bob Caron, explained why the company is making a marker to honor a traitor. . . . The $15,000 memorial . . .

This is a memorial of which Benedict would be proud. Ideally, the cherubs look like Barbarella.

[Publius]

In Praise of Benedict Arnold

[Winfield]

Just think, if he were alive today, Benedict could be a Democrat candidate for President!!! Hey! He was a "War Hero", wasn't he?

[Shooter 2.5]

LOL.
Looks like my writing skills still need a lot of work. Let's see if I can correct that.

A study released during the clintoon scandals claimed Thomas Jefferson "fathered" a child.

What's so irritating is the dems know there is DNA available from a lock of Thomas Jefferson's hair. They chose to use DNA from the family.

[Pharmboy]

I am a member of the New York Revolutionary Roundtable. This guy from CT came to us and asked us for money about 2 years ago. He was turned down.

Arnold was not only giving up West Point: Gen. Washington was scheduled for a visit there also.No matter what this apologists says, Arnold was a venal, ambitious careerist whom nobody liked. He was a brilliant field commander, that's true.

[namvetcav]

The important aspect about Arnold is that despite his former good works, his treason supported the autocracy of George III and would have had the Founding Fathers executed by hanging. Americans should take a dim view of his judgment and values. Couldn't $15,000 be used in America to honor patriots rather than spent in England to memorialize a traitor who supported the rule of an unjust King?

[jwalsh07]

Another place to walk the dog.

[GreenLanternCorps]

Actually, our beef was with Parliament. Under the British Constitution, the King could not impose taxes. This was fought out in the English Civil War in the 1640's. By the end of the 18th Century, King George III could influence, but not impose policy.

The final word lay with the King's ministers, Led by the First Lord of the Treasury*, Lord North, whose advice he was bound to support, and with Parliament whose acts he was required to sign. It had be this way since the Civil War and the Glorious Revolution 100 years before.

The Stamp Act, etc. were all Acts of Parliament, not just imposed by the King.

However the King did tend to agree with his ministers about taking a harsh line with the Colonies.




*Prime Ministers are still Officially First Lord of the Treasury, thought the title is almost never used,

[cephalopod]

My daughter is quite a history buff, and in particular a fan of the Arnolds. From her studies, she feels that without Arnold, America would have lost the Revolution.
First, his superior command provided America with badly needed victories; then his treason provided a rallying point for Washington and Congress.
She tells me that there is an old Federal law which prohibits the the name of Benedict Arnold from being 'cut in stone or cast in iron'. Benedict Arnold was actually Benedict Arnold V and the graves of his father and grandfather were razed in response to this law. This is also, in part, why monuments to Arnold's victories do not bear his name.
The only citation to the law she could give me was from an A & E documentary though. Perhaps someone with a legal background, or access to a legal database could check to see if this fellow is in violation of the law.

[GreenLanternCorps]

There is one monument to Major General Benedict Arnold in the United States. At the Saratoga National Historic Park in Saratoga, New York, there is a monument where Arnold led his charge. IIRC it is a small statue, surrounded by a small iron fence. It was on it, a Glove and the epilet (sp?) of a Major General draped over a saddle.

There is no name on the monument.

[A. Patriot]

Does anyone know why he turned traitor? I always thought it was because of a woman.

I heard something on the History Channel about one of his superiors "ragging" him so badly, he decided to go to the other side.

Anyone know anything about this theory?

[GreenLanternCorps]

IIRC he felt snubbed and back stabbed by fellow officers less deserving of promotion than him.

[GreenLanternCorps]

One reason Benidict Arnold's treason stings so much is that he was a true hero.

If an average Joe, or an incompetant person betray you it one thing. But if someone you revere and/or admire turns his coat, it's a thousand times worse.

I mean, who cares about Aaron Burr these days? Or Tokyo Rose.