WOG’s 2 Cents – Column by Brian D. King
Perhaps in social media you have seen a code for sculptors when designing statues of heroes astride a horse. The code generally follows:
- If the horse is standing with all four feet on the ground, the hero died of old age.
- One foot up, the hero died from wounds received in battle.
- Rearing on two legs: the hero died in battle.
- If the rider is wearing a tutu, shooting in the air, reins in his teeth while sitting backwards in the saddle, he was a drunken cowboy and said before his demise, “Watch this boys!”
Is this code myth or fact?
It is written that if you look at the history of mounted soldier statues in and around Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, many statues did follow this code. However, if you research statues in Washington, DC, and other parts of the US, the code is not necessarily followed.
If there was a true code to follow, it would be written as part of the US Code (USC).
For example, there are defined rules written in code which pertain to the display, respect, and use of the US flag. On June 22, 1942, President Franklin D. Roosevelt approved House Joint Resolution 303 codifying the existing customs and rules governing the display and use of the flag of the United States by civilians. In the 105th Congress (1997-1999), the Flag Code was removed from USC Title 36 and re-codified as part of Title 4 of the USC.
I know USC Title 4 well enough to tell me a lot about whether the person or organization displaying the US flag is respecting, or disrespecting, it.
Let’s get back to our fallen mounted heroes. I have found no title in US civil or military codes for sculpture of military heroes. At best, I can say there is a loosely followed custom including numbers one through three, but no more.
If number four made you chortle, that was the intent when I made it up. Although I do have some candidates in mind that have earned the honor. Alas, that is for a later installment.
