A large granite tablet of the Ten Commandments - associated with the Oscar-winning 1956 epic film with the same title - catches the eyes of motorists passing by the Fraternal Order of Eagles Aerie 180.
Some pull over at 1530 N. Stone Ave. to view the gray-and-black slab with God's laws that were given to Moses as told in the Old Testament of the Bible.
The granite monolith of the Ten Commandments is about 6 feet tall and 3 feet wide.
The order is a nonprofit organization that raises funds for youth charities and medical research for heart disease, cancer, diabetes and arthritis.
The sculpture was presented by the national order in the 1960s, recalled member Elaine King, 81.
"I think it is very impressive. It is a piece of art," King said. "Over the years, people who came to play bingo at our chapter gathered outside around the sculpture while they smoked. They would study it and read the commandments.
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"The Ten Commandments first was offered to the city of Tucson, but the city did not have a place for it, and that's how it was delivered directly to the local club," King recalled.
King gathered the history about the monolith from Mary Guy, 92. Guy joined the organization 62 years ago.
The national order distributed more than 17,000 small prints of the Ten Commandments beginning in 1951 and later dedicated the monoliths to cities and public institutions after member E.J. Ruegemer spoke with film director Cecil B. DeMille.
At the time, DeMille was directing the movie "The Ten Commandments," starring Charlton Heston, Yul Brynner and Anne Baxter. The film was released in 1956.
The national order launched a campaign to donate the monoliths to cities as gifts in conjunction with the release of the film, King said.
Contact reporter Carmen Duarte at 573-4104 or cduarte@azstarnet.com
