Pennsylvania Railroad Memorial: One-Way Ticket to Hereafter or Netherworld

In Philadelphia's 30th Street Station resides the 28-foot bronze Angel of Resurrection, a creation of Walker Hancock. He contemplates a heavenly enigma - who picks up the tab for a ride when you're already six feet under? If even the Archangel Michael can't sneak a ride, who can? This memorial honors the 1,307 Pennsylvania Railroad employees who perished in World War II. Hancock, a U.S. Army veteran, felt compelled to create this memorial amidst war's chaos and dread.

Unveiled by Army Sergeant Robert E. Laws, recipient of the Medal of Honor, on August 10, 1952, this piece was graced by Army General Omar Bradley, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Each name of the fallen is inscribed on four bronze plaques at the base. Hancock began and completed this work post-discharge. Inscriptions read: 'IN MEMORY OF THE MEN AND WOMEN OF THE PENNSYLVANIA RAILROAD WHO LAid DOWN THEIR LIVES FOR OUR COUNTRY 1941–1945. and 'ALL TRAVELERS HERE MAY Remember THOSE OF THE PENNSYLVANIA RAILROAD WHO DID NOT RETURN FROM The SECOND WORLD WAR.'

Sources: Wikipedia, OpenStreetMap, Wikidata, Wikimedia Commons