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nov ember
PAGE 20
12, 2012
the daily orange
the sweet stuff in the back
loving memory In
allen chiu | design editor The Haggerty Lion statue sits in Oakwood Cemetery as a memorial to Michael Haggerty, who died in a car crash. The statue was built by his younger brother, Thomas Haggerty.
Lion statue serves as memorial for beloved member of Haggerty family 30 years later
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By Madina Toure STAFF WRITER
hen Michael Haggerty was a baby, his mother took him to get a shot at the hospital. He hid under the covers and licked her hands in protest. More than a decade later, Michael died in a car accident, along with a friend, on June 17, 1974, while they were driving his family’s station wagon on Route 3. They were driving fast and ran into a tree. Michael’s younger brother, Thomas Haggerty, created a memorial in his honor — it was only fitting that the monument be a lion. “He didn’t want to look at the shot and all of a sudden, she felt him licking her hands,” said Edward Haggerty, Michael’s older brother. “That’s why there’s a lion as opposed to something else, is because Michael always wanted to be a lion.” Yesterday marked the 30th anniversary of the monument, which was placed in Oakwood Cemetery on Nov. 11, 1982. Edward created the monument at the request of his family in honor of his brother.
“The lion itself definitely has a legacy and has hopefully a backing to preserve it for centuries to come, and I think the story behind it is something (people) can relate to,” said Edward, who received a bachelor’s degree from SU in 1979 and a master’s degree in 1981 in civil engineering. He led a hectic life, Edward added, always hanging out with an older crowd. That desire to be a lion translated into Michael’s art as well. Compared to other artists at the time, Michael was “the wilder kind, the free-spirited kind,” Thomas said. “It was really devastating,” he said. “It really f***ed my family up forever. The act of making this lion was therapeutic for us.” Thomas, who graduated from SU in 1983 with a bachelor’s degree in sculpture, sculpted the lion in his garage during the summer of 1981. Rodger Mack, then-chair of the sculpture department, subsequently oversaw his work. The next step was to invest the wax, a process in which his entire family took part. The Haggerty family did not hire SEE LION PAGE 19
Syracuse community veterans get aid to cope with PTSD By Max Antonucci STAFF WRITER
One day, a national suicide prevention hotline made for veterans received an emergency call from Oakland, Calif. A veteran said he was about to jump in front of a train. Employees at the hotline, formed by Jen Kemp, national suicide prevention coordinator, immediately found the train and managed to stop it just
in time. They talked to the veteran again, who said he was very grateful they did so much to help him. He was then able to begin his treatment. “That’s what it’s all about,” Kemp said. “Making that contact and that reach out.” Kemp said the suicide rate among veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder is an issue. Veteran suicide rates have increased from 10 percent
WHAT IS PTSD? Post-traumatic stress disorder is a type of anxiety disorder that can occur after someone has seen or experienced a traumatic event. It can follow a natural disaster, like a flood or earthquake, or anything from terrorism to war or prison stay.
to 18 percent in the last decade as more veterans return from active duty. About 1,100 veterans attempt suicide every month. PTSD is a disorder many veterans develop due to trauma while serving in the military. But there is a lack of awareness and understanding of PTSD in America as hundreds of afflicted veterans return home and receive their dues on Veterans Day.
Jessica Hamblen, the deputy director for education at the National Center for PTSD, recalled another example of the disorder. One late night, a veteran couldn’t sleep and went outside for some air. He stopped when he noticed something suspicious — a car was slowly driving down the street, occasionally stopping as it got closer to his house.
SEE VETERANS PAGE 19