Google Map To Guatemala National Palace, Guatemala City.

The Court Yard Of The National Palace Of Culture of Guatemala Is Where Many Important Functions Take Place. [Photo by Sharon Farmer.]

US President Bush Laying A White Rose In The Palm Of The Peace Statue Guatemalan President Oscar Berger Looks On.[Photo by US White House.]

A White Rose In The Palm Of The Peace Statue.
Honor Guard. Palacio Nacional de la Cultura (National Palace of Culture).
Audrey DeLange Being Presented The White Rose Of peace. Palacio Nacional de la Cultura (National Palace of Culture). Guatemala.

The National Palace was built between January 1939 and 1943. It was the most important building in Guatemala and was the headquarters of the President of Guatemala. The building is the origin of all the roads in the Republic. It is now a national museum. When we went to the National Palace Audrey and I were in for quite an honor and suprise. At the very same court yard where a President of the United States was greeted, Audrey was to be given an honor by the Government Of Guatemala! They have a tradition concerning peace and a symbol of peace, the White Rose. To celebrate another day of peace in their country and the ever-fresh peace process, at about 11:30 AM, the Army Honor Guard, changes a white rose that has been placed on a monument in the court yard with another fresh white rose. The day old white rose, symbolizing 24 hours of peace, is then given to a guest of the country in a ceremony, held within the court yard. The bronze statue in the court yard rises from the spot where, in 1996, guerrillas and the government signed accords ending 36 years of brutal civil war. President George W. Bush actually laid a white rose in the palm of the Peace Statue, as Guatemalan President Oscar Berger looked on. This happened on Monday, March 12, 2007, at the Palacio Nacional de la Cultura in Guatemala City. However, earlier than that, on May 16, 2003, the White Rose was actually presented to Audrey DeLange, during a ceremony! The White Rose is a memory that Audrey will always remember and treasure.

The Court Yard And Peace Monument	The Peace Monument And White Rose
The Honor Guard Marches Out	Marching Up To Replace The White Rose Audrey Is Escorted To The Court
Removing The Day Old White Rose	Presenting The New White Rose
Taking Away The Day Old White Rose	Presenting The White Rose To Audrey
Close Up Of Presentation	Audrey Watching The Honor Guard As They March Away
Exterior View National Palace	National Palace Meeting Room