In the classic 1939 movie “The Wizard of Oz”, there is that moment when the characters first spy their destination, the glittering city of Oz.   I always used to think of that image when I went to Denver.   I would drive along the freeway (motorway) through a little valley and when the road turned you could behold the tall towers off in the distance.   Now Denver has spread out, and, as you turn the corner, you are already in the city, so it’s nothing special.   But— here in town I still get the same sort of feeling when I behold the Air Force Academy.

Miss P and I were out for a walk this afternoon.   And we could see off in the distance, almost on the mountain, the Oz-like apparition of the academy.   (Well,  Miss P could have seen it if she wasn’t so busy sniffing).

The icon landmark at the academy is the chapel.   It’s shaped like a row of arrowheads, and I forget what the symbolism is supposed to mean.    (It’s either war or peace, not that this is immediately obvious).

The main area inside is for Protestant services.   Underneath this is the Catholic chapel, the Jewish temple, and the Muslim mosque.    The circle for Pagans is outdoors in a different section of the campus.

Stained glass makes it look religious, and the clear glass lets one see the mountains.

Anyone who ever built a model airplane can recognize this, although it’s not visible from a distance.   So, if you worship machines, there are lots of models to choose from on the plaza outside the chapel.