KEYSTONE, South Dakota—A soft wind blew across the Grand View Terrace of Mount Rushmore National Memorial, and a shiver ran up my spine.
For millions of Americans visiting for the first time, like me, this is hallowed ground—liberty and sacrifice carved into the timeless mountain.
“It gives you a tingle,” said Doug Alford of Texas, waxing proudly on the observation deck 150 feet below the monument.
“I’m inspired by what people used to do. This [monument] is as impressive as skyscrapers they built in the 20s.”
Mount Rushmore as seen from below on a trail leading up to the base of the monument in S.D. on Sept. 7, 2022. (Allan Stein/The Epoch Times)
As we continued gazing at the tall sculpture, marveling at the extraordinary talent and engineering that went into building it, Alford lamented that the country he once knew is no longer the same….