The National Garden Of American Heroes
Posted: Mon May 04, 2026 9:29 pm
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_ ... can_Heroes
It would be awesome if at some point it could be done, a big garden in DC with 250 sculptures of its greatest Americans. To be honored you have to be deceased, so Donald Trump can't put himself in the garden.
Two things, though: first, the name. Most of the people being honored aren't "heroes" so maybe go with The National Garden Of Great Americans. Problem solved.
Second, who would be the 250? This is where the biggest criticisms have been made and understandably so.
Let's start with what I think is the biggest omission of all: Fred Rogers. How the HELL is Mr. Rogers not on the list? He might be a top-25 Greatest American.
And only one Marine, Ira Hayes, who was one of six men who raised the flag on Iwo Jima? Him instead of Chesty Puller or John Basilone? Not to mention he's already part of a famous sculpture in DC. Absolutely there should be Native Americans being honored, but I don't think he's one of them.
There are a number of names that probably shouldn't be on the list. Some of the Presidential choices are just really odd, like Grover Cleveland, Calvin Coolidge and William Howard Taft. Some other names that probably shouldn't have made the cut:
Todd Beamer, the guy who said "Let's roll" on United 93 on 9/11. Sorry, but those people fought back only after finding out what was going on. If they hadn't had cell reception, Flight 93 probably would have impacted The White House or The Capitol.
Kobe Bryant, the guy who gave hush money to a woman he was accused of raping. That's seriously the best basketball player they could come up with, even over Bill Russell? WTF
Samuel Colt, a guy who made guns and supplied both the North and South with them during the Civil War. Come to think of it, maybe he's the perfect American.
Christopher Columbus, who kinda sorta wasn't American.
A few of the actors on the list. For example, in the actress department, Lauren Bacall and Shirley Temple over Lucille Ball?
My favorite surprise on the list is Christa McAuliffe.
Admittedly, a lot of people on the list I'd never even heard of but these were the ones who stood out.
It would be awesome if at some point it could be done, a big garden in DC with 250 sculptures of its greatest Americans. To be honored you have to be deceased, so Donald Trump can't put himself in the garden.
Two things, though: first, the name. Most of the people being honored aren't "heroes" so maybe go with The National Garden Of Great Americans. Problem solved.
Second, who would be the 250? This is where the biggest criticisms have been made and understandably so.
Let's start with what I think is the biggest omission of all: Fred Rogers. How the HELL is Mr. Rogers not on the list? He might be a top-25 Greatest American.
And only one Marine, Ira Hayes, who was one of six men who raised the flag on Iwo Jima? Him instead of Chesty Puller or John Basilone? Not to mention he's already part of a famous sculpture in DC. Absolutely there should be Native Americans being honored, but I don't think he's one of them.
There are a number of names that probably shouldn't be on the list. Some of the Presidential choices are just really odd, like Grover Cleveland, Calvin Coolidge and William Howard Taft. Some other names that probably shouldn't have made the cut:
Todd Beamer, the guy who said "Let's roll" on United 93 on 9/11. Sorry, but those people fought back only after finding out what was going on. If they hadn't had cell reception, Flight 93 probably would have impacted The White House or The Capitol.
Kobe Bryant, the guy who gave hush money to a woman he was accused of raping. That's seriously the best basketball player they could come up with, even over Bill Russell? WTF
Samuel Colt, a guy who made guns and supplied both the North and South with them during the Civil War. Come to think of it, maybe he's the perfect American.
Christopher Columbus, who kinda sorta wasn't American.
A few of the actors on the list. For example, in the actress department, Lauren Bacall and Shirley Temple over Lucille Ball?
My favorite surprise on the list is Christa McAuliffe.
Admittedly, a lot of people on the list I'd never even heard of but these were the ones who stood out.