In response to an announcement by the Eisenhower Memorial Commission on March 26, outlining their “total and unqualified” support of Frank Gehry’s design for the Eisenhower Memorial, the Eisenhower family had this to say:
“The Eisenhower family will not be available for comment on the Eisenhower Memorial Commission’s announcement today until we have had the opportunity to confer among ourselves.”
For the latest on this developing story, listen to Susan Eisenhower on WAMU’s Kojo Nnamdi Show on March 29, 2011.
SusanEisenhower 
THE EMC STICKING WITH THIS DESIGN WOULD BE LIKE IKE GOING AHEAD WITH D-DAY ON JUNE 5TH IN SPITE OF THE TERRIBLE WEATHER.AND WITH LIKELY COMPARABLY DISASTROUS OUTCOMES. THE NEXT STEP SHOULD BE TO MAKE SURE THE APPROPRIATE FUNDING IS WITHHELD UNTIL A MORE FITTING DESIGN IS FOUND.
Seems to me that the only recourse left to the family is to request the removal of the name “Eisenhower” in front of the word “memorial” and have the funding for the Gehry design contributed by those who want to commemorate the Berlin Wall, the Iron Curtain or some other event that some fertile mind can conjure up. Its use as a memorial to Ike, however is totally meaningless and transparently at odds with all that he represents as the veritable embodiment of the American Dream in war and in peace.
I was able to catch only the last half of the Kojo show yesterday, but you knocked it out of the park. Congratulations. I tried to call in, but was too late to get on. Rats.
It’s unthinkable that the EMC is going ahead with a design totally at odds with the wishes of President Eisenhower’s family. Having listened to Susan Eisenhower many times on TV, she seems to be very down-to-earth and straightforward in her thinking. I’ll donate to whichever memorial the family endorses, but not to the current EMC, nor would I visit the EMC’s site once completed. Best wishes to the Eisenhower family and God grant them the wisdom to make a good decision.
Is there a petition available to the public? I’d sign it.
The final word on the Memorial should be the Eisenhowers. We live every day with a spiritual Eisenhower Memorial. We as a free people are all part of General/President Dwight Eisenhower’s Memorial because he won the war over tyranny and saved our society
I echo the sentiments above. To construct an edifice that negates the true essence of our Nation’s president, and fellow service member is disappointing. I too will donate to whichever memorial the family endorses.
President’s Eisenhower’s legacy resides in the DNA of every surviving family member. Who better to weigh in on what the design of memorial should be?
I agree with you, Ms. Eisenhower, “The monument is about us” too; thanks for speaking. I hope this debate doesn’t become about the architect; his reputation is already secure.
Here’s one more option to consider: Google allows you collect data for a survey. You can phrase your questions exactly as you like and set a link from your web site.
My example: http://goo.gl/vFVLp
reference:
http://googledocs.blogspot.com/2008/02/stop-sharing-spreadsheets-start.html
-TF
I really like your writing style, excellent information, thanks for posting : D.
A memorial to President Eisenhower is more than a memorial to a president, a general and a very great individual. It is also a memorial to the United States of America–maybe of a bygone day when a person could emerge from obscurity to become a general and a president. I too was a barefoot boy born in a rural background a few years after the boy who became President. The process by which Mr. Eisenhower became President should be honored. His roots should be honored.
You’re very kind, Robbie. Ike is such a clear thinker and writer, I feel like I know him – after browsing his notes and memoirs. Note to self: Could his crisp style be compared to a Hemingway?
You might like his notes from his cross-country trip in 1919:
Transcript:
http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/infrastructure/convoy.cfm
Actual pages:
http://research.archives.gov/description/1055071
Some photos:
http://www.eisenhower.archives.gov/research/audiovisual/images/1919_convoy.html
Have a great day,
Tony
I so agree with your family and feel that your wishes regarding the memorial be honored. President Eisenhower should have a fitting memorial that those of us that remember him can visit in a quiet dignified manner as well as introducing him to the next generations. What would he of wanted? Gehry, I don’t think got it right, maybe he should visit Gettysburg.
Alexandrine, you’re so right about visiting Gettysburg. I love the details there; just seeing his office tells me a lot about the man: http://www.nps.gov/history/museum/exhibits/eise/roomViews/office.html
I understand he was good in math (geometry or algebra?) in high school; I like to know what titles he kept on his shelf, so I’m going back.
Have a great day,
Tony