re: Statue of the original Fighting Tigers?

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We need a sherman tank on campus

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The Freak

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Statue of the original Fighting Tigers?
One of my major causes over the years has been to have the ROTC building named after Sherman (if y'all notice, it sticks out that it's not named after anyone)....or to make it a little more palatable to the people who don't think the South lost the Civil War; Sherman-Chennault (another tiger connection there too...)

What I hope to do before i leave this five sided puzzle palace is get a M-4 tank for LSU, we can put it in the place of the Corporal missile in front of the ROTC building and call it the "Sherman Memorial Tank"....then when all the nay-sayers come up, simply ask the question: "what kind of tank is it?"

back on initial subject...a good place to put something would be as part of the war memorial on the parade grounds...

ALL of the Louisiana Tigers can be remembered, there were Louisiana units (935th Field Artillery)with the tiger insignia at Anzio, for exapmle...and Chennault's Flying Tigers can be mentioned as well....

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And I thought I was the only one. . .

Dad was Corps Commander of the ROTC in 1954. FOUR diamonds on the collar that year, not just three, because the Corps of Cadets was so large. He was a primarily a student of Ordnance, and was thus trained in the operation of every single piece of military equipment that the ROTC had at that time. Among these was indeed a Sherman M-4 tank that he and a few other of the cadet officers used to drive down South River Road.

As for Claire Lee Chennault. . . Did you know that his hand written memoirs can be found at Hill Memorial Library? I spent many a day during my undergrad' years digging through them. Just be prepared to wear those damned white cotton gloves should you decide to ask to read through them!

I almost forgot to mention where the two cannon that flank the main entrance to the Military Science building are from. Of course, I have no doubt that you are well familiar with their story too.

Thanks for taking an interest in the military history of The Ole War Skule. I had begun to fear that no one really recalled the fascinating history of our alma mater.

Gentlemen, I am afraid that Wild Tchoupitoulas has got the drop on me. No argument in favor of honoring the Louisiana Tigers can withstand the relentless assault of his exquisite reason. But W.T., would you bear with me for a few more moments--I'm very dull in these matters and want for nothing but an education.

I'm sure that with a few more answers you can win me completely over to your point of view.

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First of all,you're posting this on a FOOTBALL MESSAGE BOARD. I'm just trying to stay on message. Secondly, if you ask most LSU fans what is more important to them, the causes of the Civil War or winning football championships, most would say winning football championships.

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Forgive this first question, but I thought it was permissible to bring a fully developed citizenship into a football discussion. Should I check my other interests at the door and restrict myself only to discussing what is good for football alone?

Is it really that stark of a choice--Confederate cause or football championship? I only ask because some folks are foolish enough to think that honoring history and winning football championships are not mutually exclusive items.

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That's fine, but neither Wheat nor his Tiger Rifles ever had anything to do with LSU, so we don't need to honor them on campus.

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You are 100% correct--Wheat and the Tiger Rifles had nothing to do with L.S.U. But, if I may try your patience a bit, isn't it the other way around? Isn't it L.S.U. that has something to do with Wheat and the Tiger Rifles? Aren't we named for them? I'm sure I've misunderstood your line of reasoning--a regrettable habit of mine, I'm afraid.

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Sherman, on the other hand, was integral to the formation of LSU, and victory for the Union so why don't you attack those that disparage him? I notice you're giving me a lot of flak, but ignoring those who don't care to honor him. Why aren't you clamouring for a statue to Billy Sherman? No, you're focusing all of your efforts on me. And here I am just wanting football championships - and a statue of Sherman.

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You've caught me again--oh when will I learn? Consistency in my position demands that Billy should be honored as well as the Tigers. Perhaps we can set them up facing one another with glowering scowls. I would rather like that.

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No, I'm just insisting that we keep the more controversial ones off of campus. Your argument, while eloquent is specious. You cannot honestly argue for a Civial War memorial with Confederate soldiers on campus without raising eyebrows. Are you that naive?

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You are wise to avoid controversy. Your support of a statue to Billy Sherman proves it. I want to be as uncontroversial as you and only needed a mentor to help me reach my uncontroversial potential--for which you have my lasting gratitude.

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Oh my god, who switched over to LPB? Get over yourself.

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Sorry for partying?

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I never said anywhere that the virtues you listed could not be honored, now you're just making shite up to suit some pre-conceived notion you have of me. I'm an 8th generation Louisianian with a great-great-grandfather that joined the 7th Louisiana Volunteer Cavalry Regiment and fought at Franklin, La. I'm a 3rd generation LSU man. I'm sorry that my state left the Union - I happen to love my country - I'm also sorry that so many in my state can't seem to get past this ridiculous subject.

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I know how you feel, my way-back great-grandaddy fought in the Revolutionary War against Mother England and I've never forgiven him for it. Revolution, secession--whitewash it however you like--it ain't ever right.

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It's just a DUMB idea to honor Civil War soldiers on LSU's campus.

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I am a new man for having met you! Heaven bless and keep you--for I am now resolved to let go of my inner blockhead and ignore the boob-brained notion that something could be learned from an accurate portrayal of what actually happened.

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However, honoring the Washington Artillery would be relevent, and not as controversial as Sherman or the confederate soldiers.

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I know that I will eventually learn everything I know from you, but Teacher, stay your anger with this ignoramus a bit longer and tell me how we can honor the notorious slave-holder and treasonous traitor Washington?

I have always regretted the past I was born with and would have given anything to change it--you know, re-write the script, punch up the dialogue with some snappy witticisms and above all, bring in a better cast.

Show me the way...I am your acolyte forever.

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As a graduate of AFROTC at LSU, I support your idea wholeheartedly. The Corporal missile has little significance, whereas a Sherman tank would due to our history. Likewise, we should get a P-40 Warhawk complete with shark teeth on the nose and the Flying Tiger nose art to replace the T-33 across the street from the ROTC building. I also like the idea of naming the building the Chennault-Sherman Building.

What avenues are you taking to get these things done? What help do you need? I have a contact list for AFROTC grads that I'm sure would help in this endeavor.

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it's been rumored that Chennault actually sent a crated P-40 to LSU...if it does exist, it should be exhibited under cover....the Air Force will be piching fits to get hold of an actual P-40 that flew over China (remember the fate of the Memphis Belle, which is no longer in Memphis)...

as far as the renaming of the building, until I get out of the puzzle palace and escape somewhere closer to Baton Rouge I can't do much....Are you and your AFROTC grad counterparts members of Cadets of the Ole War Skule? the organization needs younger blood....my observation is guys don't get interested in joining until they get to be around 50, that trend has to change....

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Some folks would say that they were a bunch of drunks and degenerates as likely to harm a Rebel as a Yankee.

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Just like Tiger fans!

First off- Thanks everyone for the history lesson.. Im totally ignorant on yhe subject

second- You people are way smarter than me.. Thanks for making me feel dumb.

I'm enamored by this thread and I'll definitely be reading up on the history on all that was discussed here. Im guilty of not knowing or ever caring about our history until now. (I'm 29). Thanks everyone for the history lesson

Swamp Angel, when you said ordnance, I had a suspicion that your dad was my senior year ROTC instructor....

he wasn't the first nor the last to have some sort of health problem derail a military career....