What does it mean to crusade for right? Here at the Marine Corps Base Quantico, the Crusading for Right statue, also known as Iron Mike, stands as a powerful symbol of this very question. This statue, dedicated on December 8, 1921, isn’t just a piece of art. It’s a testament to the sacrifices of the United States Marines, specifically those from the 5th and 6th Regiments and the 6th Machine Gun Battalion, who gave their lives in World War I. The Crusading for Right depicts a World War I Marine, rifle in hand, embodying the spirit of unwavering resolve. Interestingly, this statue was originally commissioned by General Pershing for the US Army. The sculptor, Charles Raphaël Peyre, unknowingly used a Marine as his model and even included the Marine Corps insignia on the helmet. Pershing demanded its removal. Peyre refused to alter his work. The Army rejected the statue. It was Marine Corps General Smedley Butler who ultimately secured the funds to purchase and install the statue here at Quantico. The plaques at the base of the Crusading for Right list the names of the fallen Marines, a poignant reminder of the cost of freedom. While the statue’s nickname, Iron Mike, is common at other military bases, the original title, Crusading for Right, carries a weight of meaning, reminding us of the values these Marines fought to protect.
Центральный дом работников искусств
Step through the grand wooden doors of the Central House of the Workers of Art, and you’ll be transported to