MARKER NO. 11: Born too soon

Having read the many opinion letters, editorials and My Turn columns about Marker No. 11, I am pleased that most have been thoughtful and respectful of the diverse points of view. Ours is a very diverse community. I’d like to add my own perspective.

The wonderful profusion of public art all over the city is amazing and makes us proud. I believe the major cause of such an uproar has been a generational one. I wasn’t even aware of Marker No. 11 but now I am and it raises the question, “Who is the public?”

My generation lived through the second World War, the post-war chaos, then Korea, Vietnam and all the wars since. The symbols of that time for us are so traumatic and painful, it can’t even be described.

My father was a lifelong Marine, serving in the South Pacific, and died as a Major General; my brother, career Navy in Korea and Vietnam. What they fought for then was not what we fight for now and our childhood losses (including the loss of innocence), actually living in a war culture, cannot be transmitted in movies. Nobody who has fought on foreign soil will ever forget.

For me, seeing an orange slab with a construction cone on it does not bring up deep pain and memories such as those on Marker No. 11 and I, too, am part of “The Public.” Once my generation has passed away and the sting of war is not ever-present, the next generations will be able to celebrate what was intended for Marker No. 11. I know that the artist and Arts Commission intended neither harm nor pain; but it was just too soon, too ahead of its time.

MARIAN BRECKENRIDGE

Coeur d’Alene