I was brought up in a tradition where normally things were named after national leaders posthumously, after history had time to judge and evaluate their contribution to society and to the country.

For example, the Washington Monument wasn’t completed until sometime in the 1880’s, long after Washington had died. Similarly, the Lincoln Memorial wasn’t opened until 1922 — decades after Lincoln’s untimely assassination.

Our current President apparently can’t wait for history to evaluate his impact on our history. Among other things, the Kennedy Center in Washington now bears his name as well as an airport in Palm Beach which is set to have the name “Trump” assigned to it.

I will say this about Donald Trump — he is not coy about trying to attach his name to things. He is right up front about it.

The other day, in an off-handed manner, he used the word “Trump Strait” in place of the name “Strait of Hormuz.” On that one, I think he may have some insight. He was the one who got it closed by attacking Iran, and it would be fitting if that “accomplishment” were forever associated with his name. I’m just not sure that the Arab or Iranian world would buy into it.

When you look back at ancient history, there are, of course, comparisons. The various Caesars and Emperors of Rome pasted their names all over that city and around the ancient world.

It made me think of Hadrian’s Wall in England. Maybe the wall along the Mexican border should forever be called “Trump’s Wall.” He has certainly been its biggest supporter, and who knows…maybe future hikers will want to follow that wall as they have Hadrian’s in the north of England.

That brings up another issue — Donald Trump’s Presidential Library. I thought maybe it would be in South Texas along his Wall, though now it seems that a skyscraper in Miami with golden arches may become the location. It seems to me that a more logical place would have been Mar-a-Lago in Palm Beach, Florida. There, his golf course where he has spent more time than any President in history, could have been incorporated into the site.

Actually, I don’t think President Trump really is concerned much about the location of the library as long as his name is headlined on it. When the famous book about him, “The Art of the Deal,” was published in 1987, he suggested that no changes be made to it by the author except that the name “Trump” should be made much larger on the book cover.

There has even been some talk that he will try to get an Arc D’Triomphe built in his honor near Arlington Cemetery. Others speculate that he wants his image sculpted in granite at Mr. Rushmore in South Dakota. If done, because there may not be enough space for it at Rushmore, it might have to be sculpted at the nearby “Crazy Horse” monument in that state.

How it all works out…we don’t know. What seems most evident, however, is that the oversized, ill-fitting, garish, giant ballroom to be built next to the White House will definitely have his name on it…unless, that is, it gets torn down by some future President to again reveal the simple majesty of the people’s house, the White House, as we used to know it.

Rolland Kidder is a Stow resident.