Here’s another view of the Knowlton Covered Bridge. It looks kind of cool in black and white.
Friends, it’s Friday. Enjoy this day. It’s the only one we have so let’s not waste it.
Knowlton In Black And White
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Monthly Archives: July 2020
Knowlton Covered Bridge
This covered bridge saddens me. Look closely- half of it is gone. It’s called the Knowlton Covered Bridge. Built in 1887, it was a three span, 193 foot bridge. It was one of the two longest covered bridges in Ohio.
Here’s another view.
It won’t last much longer.
Ohio communities were once dotted with covered bridges. In fact, any road that required a bridge, likely used a covered bridge to span the gap. They were engineering masterpieces of their day and served a purpose beyond transportation in some places, often hosting community gatherings and even church services in good weather in places that lacked facilities to accommodate a crowd.
Covered bridges had a couple of nicknames – “kissing bridges” because the dark interior was a perfect place for young couples to steal a smooch and “wishing bridges” because a wish made inside a covered bridge is thought to always come true!
This bridge is on a side road off Route 26 in the Wayne National Forest, not far from Marietta. Out of service, no one has bothered or perhaps couldn’t afford to maintain it. There simply aren’t enough resources to go around when you have to maintain landmarks like this one. You can no longer enter it for kissing or for wishing and I’m guessing anyone who tries may wish they hadn’t. The floor doesn’t look secure.
This is one of the reasons I adventure. To find these remnants of another time, many of which won’t be around for another generation to see and appreciate.
Same Farm, Fresh Perspective
I spotted this farm on the Fourth of July. I’ve driven by plenty of times before but always coming from the opposite direction, always missing something really special.
Look more closely.
Isn’t it fabulous?
And check out the detail on the barn.
It’s a small thing but it makes a big difference.
One of the best things you can do when wandering around this big world is to turn around and go the other way. If you always turn left, go right. If you always take the same route, turn around and drive it the other direction. That fresh perspective may reveal things that have been unseen for years. It may just help you better appreciate the sights by viewing them from a new angle.
And it could turn up nothing new but at least you tried!
Learn His Name
Do you know the name William H. Pitsenbarger? He’s the young guy pictured above, the good looking kid who looks like he’s barely old enough to vote. If you don’t know about him you should because his is an inspiring story of selflessness and heroism.
He was a US Air Force Pararescueman who flew on more than 250 missions during the Vietnam War, helping scores of downed soldiers and pilots.
On one of his best known missions, he hung from an HH-43 Huskie helicopter’s cable to rescue a wounded South Vietnamese soldier from a burning minefield. This action earned him the Airman’s Medal and the Republic of Vietnam’s Medal of Military Merit and Gallantry Cross with Bronze Palm.
On April 11, 1966, he was sent into a battle near Cam My to extract wounded Army members. He attended to wounded on the ground and helped six men be lifted into two helicopters by cable. Those choppers flew wounded men to a nearby aid station but took on small arms fire when they returned for a second load. One damaged chopper sent a basket down for Pitsenbarger but he waved them off, instead choosing to stay and help the wounded Charlie Company, gather ammunition from the dead, and improvise splints and stretchers from vines and trees to help the wounded.
And when necessary, he picked up a rifle, helping to hold off the Viet Cong. He died by sniper fire that night. When his body was recovered the following day, he was still clutching a medic kit and a rifle.
While the 21 year old did not live to see the sun rise over a new day, the military says that sixty others did because of his courageous actions.
One of the reasons places like the National Museum of the US Air Force means so much to me is that they help keep alive stories that would otherwise be lost to time.
The museum tells his story with photos, a short video, the written word and some of the young Airman’s possessions and they do it beautifully. It was meaningful enough to me that I wanted to tell you about him.
Anyone who would wave off a chopper to safety in favor of staying with a unit that was pinned down and in grave danger doesn’t do that sort of thing to have their picture in a museum. But having a display dedicated to his actions is a reminder of the brave sacrifices made by countless young men in Vietnam. It’s a poignant reminder that life isn’t fair and that young men, even the brave and strong, too often don’t come home from war.
It’s also a subtle reminder of those who did make it home but who brought with them emotional baggage far heavier than the weapons and ammo they carried through the jungles of that place so far away.
This story, if told in a school text book would have a picture of a guy in uniform next to a story that basically says “there was a battle and people got hurt and this guy went in to save them. He died. The end.”
There was so much more to Airman Pitsenbarger. He was an only child who wanted to be a Green Beret when he was a high school junior. His parents wouldn’t give permission for their underaged son to join the Army. His pals called him Pits. His birthday was July 8, 1944.
Airman First Class Pitsenbarger was from Piqua, Ohio and he volunteered for the very dangerous pararescue work. He volunteered to go to Vietnam. He volunteered to stay when he knew his odds of survival were slim.
Had he lived, Pits would be 76 years old today. He might’ve had grandkids sitting on his knee at this very moment. Instead, he was posthumously promoted to Staff Sargent and awarded the Air Force Cross even though his superiors put in for the Medal Of Honor. It took another 35 years before his family and other Airmen looked on as that original award was upgraded to the Medal of Honor.
A movie was made about him and released in January. Perhaps you’ve seen it? I have not. It’s called “The Last Full Measure.”
His story is still taught to Air Force trainees and I hope that never changes. If you go to the Air Force Museum, look him up and watch his video. Look at his things and say his name as you hope that someday young people can stop dying in wars.
Basilica of Saint Mary
From Ohio’s smallest church to one of the state’s most ornate, I covered a lot of ground while exploring last Friday.
The centerpiece of my journey was the Basilica of Saint Mary of the Assumption in Marietta. It is open during the day for self guided tours and I was fortunate to find myself completely alone in this spectacular place.
The first Mass in Marietta was celebrated at the confluence of the Ohio and Muskingum rivers when there were few Catholics in the area. It was led by the chaplain to a French expedition from Quebec. In the 1830s, land was acquired for a parish and a building was erected. Unfortunately, it suffered devastating damage from flooding over a period of years.
Land for this baslica was acquired in 1900 and ground was broken in 1903. It was consecrated six years later. By then the parish had over 1000 souls. Construction cost about $129,000, a King’s ransom a century ago.
The stained glass windows were created in Munich, Germany and they are stunning – jaw droppingly gorgeous.
There are some signs of the times. For example, they have roped off rows of pews to encourage social distancing and safe worship. There are also security cameras and a collection box in the entryway.
You can see ropes here, a smart move if you ask me.
There are amazing details to appreciate in every nook and cranny both inside…..
and out……
I mentioned yesterday that most churches used to be open and available all the time. This one isn’t available all the time but you can access it outside Mass hours and I’m grateful that they welcome visitors. It felt like a great privilege to sit quietly, to meander and to admire the art and craftsmanship at leisure.
Interested in visiting? Start with their website for updated information on their hours.
Ohio’s Smallest Church
Last week’s meandering journey to Marietta and Woodsfield began with a stop at Ohio’s smallest church.
The Healing Chapel house of worship is a tiny place but it has as much heart as any big church you’ll ever see.
At just 10×14′ this church has a steeple with a bell, a pulpit, and stained glass windows. It seats about eight people and has been the site of more than a few weddings.
It’s plain and there are no services, much less the inter mural activities and social gatherings you find at America’s big churches today.
Years ago, churches were left unlocked and were accessible to all who were seeking shelter from the storm – both literal and spiritual. Vandalism, theft and general lack of respect have forced most churches to lock their doors outside services. This church is a throwback to a simpler time as it remains unlocked for all visitors at any time.
I like to stop in for a moment when passing by if there’s time.
The church has suffered theft and damages but it remains accessible. It’s just across the road from the rest area on Route 50 near Coolville in Athens County. Look for it and stop by for a reminder of a simpler time when churches needed no locks and spiritual needs were more important than amenities.