Ultrawave

Here's today's PHOTO OF THE DAY!!! This stunning image, captured recently by photographer Vern Harrison, takes us to the iconic "Memorial Chapel" on the former Plattsburgh Air Force Base! Originally built during the Army's tenure at Plattsburgh, construction began on this picturesque structure back in 1932 and was completed the following year. The project was sponsored by the "Churchwoman's League of New York City," who sought to build a fitting memorial to the soldiers who were lost during the First World War. Some expense was saved during the construction by utilizing second-hand bricks from an unusual source; two historic structures that had recently been razed. One was the Plattsburgh Theatre and Opera House, which opened in 1893 on the corner of Court and Marion Streets and had been gutted by fire in 1929. The other, strangely enough, was the "Old Albany Penitentiary." Torn down in 1933, the jail had once held Confederate prisoners of war and was also the intended destination of the Lincoln Assassination conspirators. Much of the new Chapel's interior was completed by local tradesman, including the Post Carpenter, who hand-crafted the decorative woodwork, and the Post Blacksmith, who created the wrought iron chandeliers which can be seen hanging from the chapel's vaulted ceiling. The pews were donated by the 26th U.S. Infantry, which was stationed at Plattsburgh Barracks for many years (Including during World War 1), and along either side of the interior are representations of historic American flags. In 1936, the finishing touch came in the form of the chapel's bell, which was salvaged from the decommissioned destroyer USS "O'Brien." During the War, the O'Brien had served overseas in cooperation with the Royal Navy, safeguarding shipping lanes off the Irish coast. A highlight of its service came while on routine patrol, when the warship depth-charged and seriously damaged the German submarine U-16. Today the Old Base Chapel remains a beautiful and fascinating part of Plattsburgh's past and is still used regularly for weddings throughout the summer months.