Photographs of the Rostrum in Marietta National Cemetery

The Rostrum at Marietta National Cemetery in Marietta, Georgia, is a very special place. A Rostrum is a raised speakers' platform that is used for special events and commemorative ceremonies. This one was built in 1940 and is used for Memorial Day commemorations.

The Rostrum in Marietta National Cemetery in Marietta, Georgia

As a photographer, I like the way that the ceiling of the structure seems to reflect light downward and all around the building in certain lighting conditions. It does give a spiritual aura and a sense of higher light. While this Rostrum has replaced prior structures in the cemetery, I think it is a fitting architectural statement and the perfect place to commemorate the veterans buried in the cemetery.

The Rostrum at Marietta National Cemetery

The gate to the cemetery is inscribed with the words:  "Here rest the remains of 10,312 Officers and Soldiers who died in defense of the Union 1861 - 1865." The cemetery is full. While the remains of some more recent veterans are buried in the cemetery, the vast majority of those buried are casualties of the Civil War. When people toss around terms like civil war in contemporary politics, these graves should give us all pause.