/Photo by Patricia Leslie, April 4, 2017
Above is the approach to the Unknown Soldier's tomb and memorial in Cairo. The monument was ordered by Egyptian President Anwar Sadat in 1974 to honor Egyptian and Arab soldiers killed in the 1973 war with Israel, which was the Yom Kippur War about taking back the Sinai.
Only seven years later, the monument also became the tomb of President Sadat after he was assassinated October 6, 1981 across the street from the memorial. There he reviewed the annual parade to celebrate Egypt's crossing of the Suez Canal before he was attacked.
President Sadat and Israeli President Menachem Begin together were the recipients of the 1978 Nobel Peace Prize.
/Photo by Patricia Leslie, April 4, 2017
Above is the tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Cairo where President Anwar Sadat is also buried. At the site, our Odysseys tour guide, an Egyptian, became emotional and said beforehand, that it would make him quite sad to visit the memorial, but for us curious Americans who well remember the tragedy, he would do it. We were grateful for the opportunity to see the tombs and the site and remember.
Photo by Patricia Leslie, April 4, 2017
Photo by Patricia Leslie, April 4, 2017
Photo by Patricia Leslie, April 4, 2017
Photo by Patricia Leslie, April 4, 2017
Looking from the back of the grave marker to across the street at the reviewing stand where President Sadat was attacked and ten others, killed. Four U.S. military members were among the 28 who were wounded in the assault by Islamic fundamentalists.
patricialesli@gmail.com
Wonderful photos and thank you for the timely history lesson as well. I'd forgotten many details. The tomb is a striking structure and you've done a great job capturing its essence with your pictures. -- Betsy, Nashville
ReplyDeleteBetsy, thank you for writing and commenting. It is a memorable place, sad to see proof again of man's inhumanity. Most places we visited in Egypt were not as solemn and powerful as these reminders.
ReplyDeleteThank you, again!
Patricia