(Monuments Men (from left to right): Bernard Taper, James Reeds, Harry Ettlinger, and Horace Apgar)

One year ago I had a sleepless night at the business center of a really crummy hotel in Washington, D.C. Through the wee hours of the morning I drafted and redrafted the speech I would deliver later that day — the 63rd Anniversary of the D-Day landings - -at the Senate Ceremony to recognize and honor the Monuments Men of all 13 nations.

Events of June 6th, 2007 unfolded in the most dignified manner befitting the contribution of these men and women during World War ll. That this would be the last trip taken by my father before his death earlier this year was something I sensed might happen. So his presence, in particular the visit on June 5th with the Monuments Men and their spouses to the World War ll Memorial, made this the experience of my life.

How did we pull it off? Angels, pure and simple. Congresswoman Kay Granger and her staff invested countless hours helping us. We will always hold her special for she was the first person to ask, "how can I help?". Others followed, Senators, members of Congress, staffers, organizers, and others whose help made our plans a reality. But behind the scenes, two people stand alone without whom we would not have succeeded.

(Karen Evans)

Christy Fox and Karen Evans love these men. Every waking hour has been spent helping me do my job, helping me garner the recognition they deserve. I, alone, have received the media attention, but their toil in the trenches has enabled us to experience the success attendant to this project. Karen spent a week in Washington preparing to receive the Monuments Men and their families while looking over my parents and all the details of the lunches and private dinners we hosted. Not a detail was overlooked. Such has been her dedication to these men and one woman these past 4 years, day in and day out. She regularly speaks with them, offers words of encouragement when illness strikes, finds little ways to show them the respect and love she feels for who they are and what they did. No amount of recognition would be too great for her endless dedication to them.

(Christy Fox)

Christy Fox once commented about my respect for elderly people. I can’t recall a more rewarding compliment. But it is Christy who sets the example. The depth of her respect and love for these men is immeasurable. She helped me carry 100 copies of my book, 6 at a time, each of which weigh 4.6 pounds, into the Senate buildings which took us three full days. We personally delivered each one to a Senator and explained who the Monument Men were and why they were important as part of our effort to gain support for the Senate Resolution. Her credibility with the media allowed her to obtain coverage few organizations of any size could ever obtain. Her pitch was genuine, well prepared, and timely in every instance. She hates the limelight as does Karen, yet without her the events of a year ago wouldn’t have happened.

It is wise to remember our achievements and the hard work that went into making aspirations realities. But it is essential that we also recognize two people whose dedication and sacrifice produced the results that followed. In honoring these heroes they did themselves honor. On behalf of the Monuments Men, we salute you both!!!

(Congratulating the Monuments Men of all 13 nations at the Senate Ceremony on June 6, 2007)

A TRIBUTE TO MY FATHER

A. RAY EDSEL

(1926 - 2008)

His given name was Alpha Ray, but his friends often called him A. Ray. Some even referred to him as “THE Ray” stating that there was no other like him. It was a little confusing for a young boy growing up hearing his dad called all these names…Alpha Ray, A. Ray, “THE Ray”…but it was easy to see the esteem and affection so many people had for him.

As kids, we all were impressed with his mastery of foreign languages. We would be awakened on school mornings by exotic phrases such as “hobba hobba e so gay”, and “Jo toe nigh”, no doubt a hold-over from his days as a Marine. The first of these defied translation; the second meant “Drop your rifle!”

Dad had other interesting phrases that he used throughout his life. For all his varied abilities, patient reading of instructions on how to assemble toys on Christmas Eve wasn’t one of them. While spying on him from the closet one Christmas Eve, I could here him say repeatedly, “Well I’ll be go to hell”. Only sometime later did I realize that “I’ll be go to hell” wasn’t one of the instructions.

Dad left an indelible legacy on the investment banking community in Dallas. From the time he opened Smith Barney’s first office in the southwest in 1960, he spent almost 40 years hiring, molding, and nurturing one great talent after another, both men and women. He successfully navigated the precarious undertaking of combining business relationship with friendship. It was second nature to him.

In the course of his career a number of the other brokerage firms in Dallas were at one time or another run by someone he hired and trained. Many others had long distinguished careers at Smith Barney. I recall one such fellow who was aggressively recruited out of business school by both Smith Barney and another prized competitor years later telling me: “During the interview with your dad a secretary stepped in to tell him that one of his biggest customers was on the phone and wanted to speak with him. After confirming that it wasn’t an emergency he told her that he would return the call because he was in a very important interview. I thought to myself, “that’s the kind of man I want to work for—and I did.”

Dad took endless pleasure in the success of those he hired yet I never heard him accept an ounce of credit. It was part of his philosophy which he instilled in us: when people see you doing all you can to help yourself, they will then help you. Dad loved helping others.

In the years after Smith Barney, Dad continued his lifelong love of reading, always seeking new ideas that might provide a good investment. And our significant others always enjoyed hearing about them. What better way to make an impression on your son’s girlfriend than introducing her to the upside of an investment in windmills! Truth was, they DID find it interesting because Dad’s youthful enthusiasm and self-deprecating humor captivated everyone.

The last few years threw one malady after another at him, but he never faltered. Instead, he seemed even happier, his determination to overcome the illness du jour strengthened. Most days he would come into the office with his lunch, and then begin his day by offering some of it to anyone there. Only a few months ago he walked up to one of my assistants and said, “How about half of this wonderful apple? I’d give you the other half too but I ate it.” His life long love of people grew even more. On our weekly visits to Café Pacific he regularly turned a two minute trip to, as he referred to it, the “little boy’s room”, into a series of conversations with every diner in the path of the restroom—in both directions! It was fun to watch.

General Dwight Eisenhower, perhaps history’s greatest leader, wrote the following in a letter to his West Point classmate and friend, Vernon Pritchard, but it equally described the characteristics Dad possessed:

“This is a long tough road we have to travel. The men that can do things are going to be sought out just as surely as the sun rises in the morning. Fake reputations, habits of glib and clever speech, and glittering surface performance are going to be discovered and kicked overboard. Solid, sound leadership, with inexhaustible, nervous energy to spur on the efforts of lesser men, and ironclad determination to face discouragement, risk, and increasing work without flinching, will always characterize the man who has a sure-enough, bang-up fighting unit. Finally, the man has to be able to forget himself and personal fortunes.”

Through all the setbacks of his life, in particular the gradual loss of his health, he never complained. Instead, he became even more focused on helping others by offering an upbeat word or sharing a valuable, perspective-restoring observation from someone who had been a part of an amazing time in our collective history. Even Saturday, before his surgery, his spirit was undiminished. When we arrived at the hospital that morning, we asked him if he’d had any success flirting with the nurses overnight to which he replied, “No, but I’m still tryin’”. It wasn’t surprising to us when, later that day, after he’d left us, each doctor, nurse and assistant in the Intensive Care Unit told us what a privilege it had been for them to get to know Dad, even for the brief time they had cared for him. He was just that kind of guy, that special.

Alpha Ray, A. Ray, “the Ray”, would have wanted you all to know how much he loved you for the great life he was blessed to enjoy. He would want to say “thanks” to the city of Dallas and this community in particular for all the opportunities it provided him to raise a family, build a career, and make so many friends who made his life so meaningful. He would ask all of you to take care of his loving wife, our Mom, in the days ahead. And he’d probably remind each of us that it takes as much effort to be happy as it does the alternative, so leave here with a smile because there’s so much for which to be thankful.

In closing, I want to share with you the words of the great poet Khalil Gibran:

“Let not the waves of the sea separate us now, and the years you have spent in our midst become a memory. You have walked among us a spirit, and your shadow has been a light upon our faces. Much have we loved you. But speechless was our love, and with veils has it been veiled. Yet now it cries aloud unto you, and would stand revealed before you. And ever has it been that love knows NOT its own depth until the hour of separation.”

(Salvatore C. Scarpita, Jr. and me, taken last October, 2006)

As my friend Lynn Nicholas reminded me following the Washington, D.C. ceremony to honor the Monuments Men and women, our work is not about art and war as much as it is the lives of human beings and their feelings. One of the greatest joys for me has been the opportunity to reunite…and in some cases, unite for the first time, family members of Monuments Men. That materialized in the largest number during the Washington ceremony, but there have been other occasions that have followed. Each time someone tells me how this story has touched their life, how it has given rise to them starting a regular dialogue with someone else who was also affected, I experience a moment of grace.

(Spencer Scarpita, grandson of Salvatore Scarpita)

A few days ago I received a wonderful email from the daughter of one of our beloved Monuments Men, recently departed, Salvatore Scarpita. His daughter, Lola, attended the ceremony and the luncheon that followed and brought her son and Salvatore’s grandson, Spencer. Her kind note is but one of many I have received. All convey a similar message. Lola had the following to say:

“Thank you so much for your kind note and the great pictures. They are a beautiful reminder of what a great day that was for my father and all the monuments men and women past and present. I will share them with my mother Clotilde and sister Stella… He will be thrilled for the memory. Not much makes him wide eyed but that very special day that you made happen left him swelling with pride.”

Lynn is correct: this is a people story, each with their own take on the events and impact of what took place so many years ago. There is still so much to learn, and so much to share.

Several people have asked me, “what did you say at the Ceremony?”, so I decided to reprint the text of my remarks. As I reread them, the words don’t convey the palpable sense of feeling and emotion present during the event. However, the smiles on the faces of the Monuments Men as they were presented with our nation’s flag, each of which had been flown over the Senate on Memorial Day, from Senator Hutchison, Congresswoman Granger, and Congressman Cohen, more than compensate for the shortcomings of words alone.

Senators, Representatives, Ambassadors and other foreign dignitaries, members of the media, honored guests all. Thank you for being present to pay tribute to these unsung heroes, the “Monuments Men”.

President John F. Kennedy once said: “a nation reveals itself not only by the men it produces, but also the men it honors, the men it remembers.” Today we remember that tenuous moment, 63 years ago, when millions of troops desperately struggled to gain a foothold on a tiny sliver of beach in Normandy, France. We honor the sacrifice of more than 9,000 brave Americans who gave their lives in that epic battle – by remembering.

That we are gathered on this date to celebrate and honor an overlooked group of heroes – men and women of these 13 nations, numbering around 350 or so, who together comprised the Monuments, Fine Arts, and Archives section – is fitting.

During World War II Adolf Hitler’s determination to build the world’s greatest museum set up a premeditated theft of unparalleled proportion. The fate of paintings by Leonardo da Vinci, Rembrandt and Vermeer, sculpture by Michelangelo, and millions of books and documents, church bells, and religious objects hung in the balance.

This small group, known as “Monuments Men” by their fellow soldiers, was comprised of museum directors, curators, artists, art historians, and average soldiers. Together they not only protected works of art from the destruction of World War II, but located and returned millions of the greatest cultural and artistic examples of man’s creative genius. It was the greatest treasure hunt in history.

Even while writing my book, Rescuing Da Vinci, and co-producing the documentary film, The Rape of Europa, I dreamed of a day when these unsung heroes would, as a group, finally receive the recognition from the United States.

A chance encounter last summer with Congresswoman Kay Granger at a dinner event in Fort Worth led to that dream becoming a reality. Congresswoman Granger, like so many others – including me – asked: “who are these “Monuments Men”? Why haven’t I heard of them?” More importantly, she said, “I want to help.”

In the months that followed, Congresswoman Granger, and her colleagues – Congresswoman Louise Slaughter and Congressman Rodney Frelinghuysen – co-sponsored a Resolution in the House that for the first time honored the men and women of the Monuments, Fine Arts, and Archives section. That resolution passed on May 17th.

With a profound sense of appreciation and gratitude, it is my pleasure to introduce the Honorable Kay Granger.

My dream to recognize the Monuments Men was not limited to the House of Representatives. As our efforts in the House progressed, my focus shifted towards finding two sponsors for a similar resolution in the senate. We struggle a bit at the outset, but one day received phone calls – first from Senator Inhofe, and then Senator Kennedy – expressing a desire to help.

This was fitting: Senator Inhofe’s state of Oklahoma was the only state which produced a Monuments Man who was killed during battle trying to protect art treasures: Captain Walter Huchthausen. Senator Kennedy’s state of Massachusetts produced the greatest concentration of Monuments Men including such iconic figures as S. Lane Faison, Jr., George Stout, and Paul Sachs.

Senators Hutchison and Boxer subsequently joined with them as co-sponsors of the Senate Resolution that was introduced yesterday and will be passed, quite appropriately, today, on this 63rd anniversary of D-Day.

It is my privilege to introduce the honorable Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison.

The Monuments, Fine Arts, and Archives program made history: it was the first time that an army fought a war while attempting to mitigate damage to cultural treasures. It marked a sea-change in western civilization when, at the end of the war, the victorious allies, returned more than 5 million cultural item to the countries from which these treasures had been stolen. Men and women from 13 nations – such as Sir Geoffrey Web from Great Britain, Rose Valland from France, Alphonse Vorenkamp from Holland, Paul Coremans from Belgium, Karol Estreicher from Poland, Malcolm Ross from Canada, Andre Kormendi from Hungary, Gilbert Archey from New Zealand, T.J. Dunbabin from Australia, Guthorm Kavli from Norway, Frant Vrecko from the Czech Republic, and Victor Lazareff from Russia joined more than 209 Americans to save the patrimony of not just Europe, but the world. They were heroes of not one country, but of civilization.

Our ongoing research into the Monuments Men advances pioneering work by others, most notably Lynn Nicholas and Michael Kurtz. It has resulted in us finding 15 living Monuments Men. I’ve interviewed them all. In the past seven months, three have died. There are now 12. We are in a race against time to find others while gathering all the information possible from those who are living and others who worked with these heroes. Of the twelve who are living, eight were too ill to travel to Washington. Four are with us today. One monuments man speaks on their behalf: Sergeant Harry Ettlinger.

At the dedication ceremony of the National Gallery of Art in 1941, President Franklin Delano Roosevelt said: “to accept this work today is to assert the purpose of the people of America, that the freedom of the human spirit and human mind, which has produced the world’s great art and all its science – shall not be utterly destroyed.” The vision and leadership of western allied leaders, in particular General Eisenhower, made the protection of artistic and cultural treasures a priority and the return of stolen property inviolate.

The Monuments Men were the people who implemented and affected that policy. Their legacy is rich and filled with incredible examples of how to protect cultural treasures from armed conflict. But their legacy has been all but lost. We, as a nation, have paid a high price for not having preserved and utilized that legacy. Time is running out.

For that reason, I am announcing today the creation of the Monuments Men Foundation for the Preservation of Art. It’s mission is to preserve the legacy of the unprecedented and heroic work of the Monuments Men during World War II by raising public awareness of the importance of protecting and

Safeguarding civilization’s most important artistic and cultural treasures from armed conflict.

In addition to completing our research on these men and women, the foundation will promote and support educational programs in schools and universities. It will also identify, honor, and bestow, the annual “Monuments Men” award to individuals and institutions that represent and uphold the principals and ideals of the monuments men by making an extraordinary contribution to the protection of civilization’s greatest treasures. We appeal to people of good will everywhere to join us in celebrating these great heroes in the most appropriate manner possible: preserve and utilize their legacy.

Senate Ceremony honoring the Monuments Men and passage of SR 223.

(From left to right: Monuments Men Bernard Taper, James Reeds, Harry Ettlinger, and Horace Apgar. Representatives Steve Cohen (D-TN) and Kay Granger (R-TX), Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-TX), and Robert M. Edsel)

On June 6, 2007 The United States government officially recognized the contributions that the Monuments Men made during World War II on art and western culture by passing resolutions in both the House and Senate in their name. This ceremony was hosted by Senators James Inhofe (R-OK), Edward Kennedy (D-MA), Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-TX), and Barbara Boxer (D-CA) and Representatives Kay Granger (R-TX), Rodney Frelinghuysen (R-NJ), and Louise Slaughter (D). Starting tonight and running through the weekend, CNN and Headline News will air this unprecedented ceremony. Please see below for dates and times.

Thursday, June 7, 2007: 8 - 9:00 pm ET
Friday, June 8, 2007: 9 - 10:00 am, 3-4:00 pm ET
Saturday, June 9, 2007: 1 - 2:00 pm ET
Sunday, June 10, 2007: 3 - 4:00 pm ET

Friday, June 8, 2007: 9:30 - 10:00 am, 4:30 - 5:00 pm ET
Saturday, June 9, 2007: 4:00 - 4:30 pm ET
Sunday, June 10, 2007: 4:00 - 4:30 pm ET

(Robert Edsel and Monuments Men (left to right) Bernard Taper, Harry Ettlinger, Senator Hillary Clinton, and Horace Apgar had a brief visit yesterday in Washington, D.C.)

Yesterday, June 5th, we were invited to a visit with Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton at her office in the Senate Russell building. Although Monuments Man James Reeds wasn’t able to attend, three other Monuments Men were: Bernard Taper, Harry Ettlinger, and Horace Apgar. As I had already delivered a copy of Rescuing da Vinci to Senator Clinton, I went to the Senate with an inscribed copy for her husband.

While we were awaiting her arrival, I was taking in the extraordinary experience of finally arriving in Washington with the Monuments Men for this historic week. Equally gratifying was observing the sense of satisfaction the Monuments Men were enjoying from their long overdue recognition.

When Senator Clinton arrived, she greeted us graciously and with a commanding presence. She was articulate on the subject, had clearly seen the book having a number of nice things to say about it. I told her this particular book was for her husband and she replied, “well, I will certainly make sure Bill gets it!”. It meant so much to these great heroes for her to take the time to CONTACT US asking for a visit, then a few moments speaking to each of them. It was another reminder of the power of the human touch.

So much more to report, but we are all pooped in Washington from a very successful and emotional day, so further stories and photos will have to await tomorrow!

One year ago I typed my first blog entry. I barely knew what a “blog” was. Since then, my assistants inform me I have typed some 180 blog entries, or about one every two days. I am so touched when someone comes up to me or writes and says, “I love your blog entries; I keep up with you and the project by reading them.” These expressions of appreciation add alot of meaning to my life and further validate our project.

My first blog entry concerned “D-Day”. On the eve of another D-Day, I am in Washington, D.C. with four of the Monuments Men and their families, and about a dozen family members of Monuments Men who are no longer with us, as we prepare to visit Congress tomorrow and participate in a ceremony in which the United States of America will for the first time recognize and honor the contributions of the men and women of the Monuments, Fine Arts, and Archives section of all 13 nations. We expect the Ambassadors or other representatives of at least 10 of the 13 nations to be present.

This afternoon our group paid a visit to the World War II Memorial. It was a beautiful day in Washington made all the more wonderful by the palpable history we made taking these great heroes of civilization to this hallowed place of honor. We strolled the grounds, walked around the magnificent fountains, and enjoyed each others’ companionship. Additionally, the day had even more significance for me: my parents joined us. I not only had a chance for my mother and father to meet these heroes and get to know many of the people who have been so integral in the development of the project, but I also had the opportunity to share the experience with another World War II vet: my dad. I will never forget standing behind him as he looked at the names of Pacific Islands he landed on as a young Marine in 1944/1945. It was a very emotional experience for us all.

At a dinner this evening for these heroes and other friends of the project, I announced the creation of a new entity to safeguard and utilize the rich legacy of the Monuments Men: The Monuments Men Foundation for the Preservation of Art. I will formally announce the creation of The Foundation tomorrow at the Senate Ceremony. The Mission Statement for the Foundation and its Objectives can be found here. You may also visit the Foundation’s web site by clicking http://www.monumentsmenfoundation.org/

There will be much more to report from Washington in the days ahead about the Ceremony and other events. I hope you will stay tuned!!!

An historic event nears: Senate passage of the Resolution to recognize the Monuments Men and women of the Monuments, Fine Art and Archives (”MFAA”) section who collectively saved so much of the art and other irreplaceable cultural treasures of our civilization during and after World War II. This will be the first time the United States has formally recognized these men and women. Following on the recent passage of a similar Resolution in the House on May 17th, we will finally honor these great heroes for their contribution not just to the United States, but to civilization!!

On Wednesday their will be a Ceremony to honor the MFAA at the Senate at which I have been asked to serve as the emcee. A number of members of the House of Representatives, the Senate, and at least some of the Ambassadors of the 13 nations whose citizens comprised the Monuments Men will be present to participate in this historic day. Also present will be four of the twelve living heroes: Bernie Taper, Horace Apgar, James Reeds, and Harry Ettlinger. There will also be 15 to 20 “children” of deceased Monuments Men present. The moment will be bittersweet: pure happiness for those still living who will finally receive their public due balanced with the knowledge of many others who didn’t live long enough to experience this day.

I am so delighted Lynn Nicholas will be able to join us along with many other dignitaries and other invited guests. It will be a wonderful week of celebration in Washington with lots of stories and behind the scene photos to share with you. Please stay tuned.

The following invitation was sent to our guests on Friday:

Monuments Men Invitation on D-Day; June 6, 2007 (PDF Version)

Passage of the Congressional Resolution to honor the Monuments Men paved the way for our efforts to pass a similar Resolution in the Senate, but we still needed to identify at least two Senators willing to co-sponsor such a Resolution. I bounced around several Senate offices seeking support, leaving books and other information about our effort in the Senate and, at the time, tremendous progress in Congress. However, we didn’t seem to be making any progress when, out of left field came a call from Senator Inhofe’s (OK) office expressing a willingness to sponsor the Senate Resolution. This call came while I was actually in one of the Senate office buildings making random visits. The following day I received a call that Senator Kennedy (MA) wanted to co-sponsor the Resolution. Then came two additional names: Senator Hutchison (TX), and Senator Boxer (CA).

The Senate Resolution evolved as does life: enormous work and effort go in seemingly with no progress, and then…in an instant it all comes together and you are over that hump ready for the next. We are now pursuing additional support among the Senators for this important step to honor these fine heroes, and ideally to do it on June 6th, the 63rd Anniversary of D-Day. I will be in Washington all day Wednesday and Thursday meeting with Senators and their aides with whom I have not yet met to encourage their support. “Bird by bird” as a friend of mine once said.

Senator Inhofe and Senator Kennedy composed and sent out to all Senators a “Dear Colleague” letter seeking support of this important Resolution. They were kind enough to allow me to reproduce it for my blog. Leadership of this sort is not only important as to its merit, but it encourages average people such as me to believe that despite all we read, our system does (eventually) work. There ARE a lot of people in Washington in leadership positions doing their best as they see it to make our world better, even on “small” matters such as this Resolution. Thanks go out to each of these 4 Senate co-sponsors and their staff, who worked hard to pull the pieces together.

Dear Colleague:

We are writing to invite you to cosponsor a concurrent resolution honoring the efforts and contributions of a group of men and women of World War II known as the “Monuments Men.” The Monuments Men were a unit of active duty GIs in the Monuments, Fine Arts, and Archives program of the United States Armed Forces during and following World War II. They were responsible for the protection and restitution of priceless artistic and cultural treasures in countries occupied by the Allied armies.

In 1938, the Nazi party in Germany began a wide-scale confiscation of millions of pieces of artwork and other cultural artifacts throughout Europe, including masterpieces by Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo, and Rembrandt. Much of the art was confiscated from Nazi-conquered territory, as well as from Jewish private collectors who were forced to relinquish their property rights.

In 1944, with the Allied armies rolling across Europe, the Monuments Men were given the charge of locating and protecting these cultural treasures. This proved to be a daunting task, given that they, at times, had to protect these treasures from friend as well as foe. With the war ongoing, the Monuments Men discovered large caches of Nazi-confiscated artwork and artifacts. Many operated on the front lines of battle, at times paying with their own lives.

Due to the tireless efforts of the Monuments Men, more than 5 million works of art and other cultural treasures were protected and returned following the collapse of the Nazi regime. Unfortunately, the time to honor these men and women is running out. There are just 12 known Monuments Men currently living, and they have never received the recognition they deserve. We urge you to join us in honoring the Monuments Men by cosponsoring this concurrent resolution.

For more information or to cosponsor please contact Nathan Reese in Sentor’s Inhofe office by going to
http://inhofe.senate.gov/public/ or Mark Carlton in Senator’s Kennedy office at http://kennedy.senate.gov/senator/