Patriotic calligraphy still has meaning today!
In this photo, my father Clifford Mansley, Sr. is a World War II Navy Veteran – age 17 or 18. He entered WWII in the last year and was put on a ship that made it through the war without a problem. He buddys’ ship was blown up. I am grateful to be here. I am grateful for all of our men and women who served our United States of America. My father always said that all young men should experience being in the military. He learned great self-discipline. The John Philip Sousa marches I heard at the commemorative event held at Arlington Memorial Cemetery today, reminded me that as Dad played them, we kids marched around the room. Beautiful American patriotic songs. He taught us the tunes for the Navy, Army and Marines. (He was a classically trained vocalist). Cliff loved our country and so he dedicated his career with the Boy Scouts of America to building character in young men. He was also a professional calligrapher and lettered words from our nations’ great patriots. Below my dear father’s picture are some images of these great and heartfelt words. You may contact me for reproductions. www.HollyMonroe.com
Below, Thomas Jefferson’s very memorable words in calligraphy. (I have this as a greeting card)
This calligraphy version of the Gettysburg Address by Abraham Lincoln, is so fitting to where we are as a country today….
Below are the extremely touching words of Major Sullivan Ballou. Though it a very plain piece of calligraphy, the words are sure to bring a tear to anyone’s eye……
The Virtues and Precepts of Benjamin Franklin.The Ben Franklin quote below has a very endearing story. My father attended The Wharton School as the University of Pennsylvania after the Navy. He hand lettered this quote and gifted it to the school, Ben Franklin founded. It was hung in one of the University halls. I’m not sure if it’s still there, but I remember as a little girl, my father took me into the building to see it. In Dads’ early 90’s, a few years before he passed into glory, I would take him to the University of Pennsylvania’s, Portland, OR Alumni Chapter picnic. In August they celebrated the high school grads who were about to enter the university. He would give a little historical speech about Ben Franklin, featuring qualities grads should emulate. Then he would hand out reproductions of the quote, encouraging them to hang them on their dormitory wall. Such a sweet memory to see my old Dad, still caring about the next generation.
