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Timothy Harrison is the President American Lighthouse Foundation and editor of Lighthouse Digest; Thomas Tag is a noted lighthouse author and historian; and Bob Trapani, Jr. is the President of the Delaware River and Bay Lighthouse Foundation.
This article was originally written much differently than what you will now read below. It was changed and reworded at press time. It was and still is a plea for donations for the American Lighthouse Foundation to help them in their efforts to save lighthouses across the nation.
In light of recent events, many may be thinking that it is totally trivial to care about saving lighthouses. The world seems to have descended into barbarity, yet we lighthouse people are still worried about old-obsolete structures in remote locations. What could possibly be the matter with us?
In recent months, donations for lighthouse preservation have dropped to all time lows. Now, with the recent crisis in America and the world, donations are likely to drop even lower, yet it is important to remember why it is vital to continue our efforts, and those of many others, to save these historic structures, and why donations to causes such as saving lighthouses need to continue.
We talk about being civilized, and yet what makes us civilized? Is it that we live in large cities? Is it that we live by laws? Is it that we care about people? Is that we don’t kill indiscriminately?
Certainly each of these thoughts is a part of civilization. Yet in thinking about being civilized, we believe that civilization is when men and women give of their time, fortune, skills, and maybe even their lives for others. That is surely true of the firemen and policemen in New York and Washington, D.C. in recent weeks.
One of the finest examples we can identify in history of man becoming civilized is the totally altruistic endeavor of the building and maintaining of lighthouses. They stand for everything that is good. They were built for one purpose only - to save lives. Realizing the importance of lighthouses, the establishment of a lighthouse service in the United States was one of the first public works acts of the First Congress of the United States. Our lighthouses were built by people and governments who cared about others. In saving lighthouses, we are caring for one of the finest examples of true civilization in our society.
Twice in recent weeks, President George W. Bush told a grieving and shocked world about the United States being a beacon of light to the world. He firmly stated, “America was targeted for attack because we’re the brightest beacon for freedom and opportunity in the world. An no one will keep that light from shining.”
As the lighthouse endures in majestic fashion, so does the American spirit that will undoubtedly rise above this national tragedy to shine even brighter than ever.
The efforts of lighthouse preservationists reach far beyond the physical heritage of any light. In the towering lantern room of life, we must also remain cognizant of the spiritual element that embodies a lighthouse - to keep the symbolism of the everlasting and inextinguishable flame of freedom burning brightly in the hearts of every American who reflects upon the strength and compassion of these inspirational edifices.
We should never forget the people who have recently been lost, but possibly, by caring for and saving our lighthouses we will be maintaining a vital symbol of civilization and humanity.
God Bless America !
Donations for lighthouse preservation can be sent to:
American Lighthouse Foundation
P.O. Box 889, Wells, Maine 04090
This story appeared in the October 2001 edition of Lighthouse Digest Magazine. For subscription information about the print edition, click here.
All contents copyright © 1995 - 2003 by Lighthouse Digest®, Inc. No story, photograph, or any other item on this website may be reprinted or reproduced without the express permission of Lighthouse Digest. For contact information, click here.
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