By
Andrew DeMarco
I have always been an advocate of learning from history whether it is good or bad, as there is always something we can take away and learn from it to make all our lives better. So recently, when I read about Hinchliffe Stadium in Paterson, New Jersey it piqued my interest. Hinchliffe Stadium is a National Landmark which was a breeding ground for some of the most famous names from the old Negro Baseball Leagues, during baseball’s segregated era. Future Hall of Famers included Josh Gibson, Satchel Paige, Buck Leonard, Cool Papa Bell, Oscar Charleston and Martín Dihigo which all played in Hinchliffe. Locals such as Monte Irvin and Larry Doby, who played at East Side High School in Paterson all passed through Hinchliffe Stadium as well.
After it closed in 1997, this National Landmark fell into disrepair so much so that no one would ever know about its Landmark status let alone the history behind the Stadium. However, about 10 years ago, the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum in Kansas City, Missouri got involved and a restoration of Hinchliffe Stadium which broke ground in April 2021 began. The new Stadium features a multi-sport athletic facility, a preschool, a restaurant and event space, parking, affordable senior housing and a museum devoted to Hinchliffe’s glory days from the 1930s to the ’80s. This new Hinchliffe will also help to revitalize the neighborhood.
So, while I applaud these efforts to educate us about a time in our history which many consider a dark era of baseball, it begs one question. Why is it good to rebuild some monuments from our past to teach about the “evils” of our country while tearing down others that we can also learn from? I have talked about this in previous postings and the links are listed below.
So, on this Memorial Day, while remembering those who gave their lives, I would like to mention some monuments and memorials that we can all learn from. Let’s start with the Saratoga Battlefield where our War for Independence took a decisive turn and where all the monuments are dedicated to all the Patriots who gave their lives so this country can have its new beginning. From there we can move on to Gettysburg and Antietam. At Gettysburg, where for three bloody days men on both sides of the divide, Americans all, gave their lives for something whether right or wrong that they truly believed in and same can be said for Antietam the single bloodiest day in American History. All the monuments on these battlefields are dedicated to both sides of a country divided, a country which was able to heal those wounds because of the sacrifices of these men.
Finally, we come to what is in my opinion the most solemn place and ultimate monument in these United States and that is Arlington National Cemetery. Within this cemetery are the Tomb of the Unknowns and the Maine Memorial which along with all the perfectly aligned graves are some of the most incredible monuments and memorials we have. While walking through these grounds nothing more needs to be said except maybe one more thing by another Unknown:
“Our flag does not fly because the wind moves it. It flies with the last breath of each soldier who died protecting it.”
So, this Memorial Day lets all take a step back and remember and more importantly honor those who gave their lives by learning from our monuments and memorials. We should all come to realize that these monuments were erected for a reason and whether you agree with it or not we can all learn from them. Once we come to realize the importance of these remembrances and lessons, it should give us all that feeling that Cousin Bob would call that…..Rosy Glow!
Bob's Rosy Glow 