The accounting of the sacrifice is, more than anything else, the attitude toward war memorials in our time.

Certainly! Here’s an explanation of the quote with bolded keywords:

This quote by Friedrich St. Florian reflects on how society accounts for sacrifice, particularly the sacrifices made during war. He suggests that the true measure of this accounting is revealed through our attitude toward war memorials today. These memorials serve as physical reminders of past sacrifices, and the respect, care, or neglect they receive indicates how we value and remember those who gave their lives.

St. Florian’s statement emphasizes that war memorials are more than just monuments; they are symbols of collective memory and gratitude. The way we treat these memorials reflects our cultural and ethical approach to honoring sacrifice and acknowledging the costs of conflict.

The origin of this quote comes from St. Florian’s work as an architect and designer of memorials, including notable projects like the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum. His perspective underscores the importance of memorials in shaping societal attitudes toward history and sacrifice.

Overall, the quote highlights that our attitude toward war memorials reveals much about how we respect sacrifice and history, serving as a barometer for collective remembrance and moral responsibility.