PRESS RELEASE
For immediate release
Contact: Daniel Bolz, 801-376-5214
Utah Freedom Memorial
2 April 2008 – Salt Lake Chamber of Commerce Military Affairs Committee is introduced to the Utah Freedom Memorial.
The UFM (Utah Freedom Memorial) organization was invited to officially introduce the Utah Freedom Memorial project to the Salt Lake Chamber of Commerce Military Affairs Committee today. UFM co-chairs, Tony Galvez and Scott Trudo, both told the group of 35 military representatives how they each came up with the idea for the state-wide monument. They showed concept renderings of possible designs and discussed the objectives of the monument;
1. Celebrate freedom
2. Inspire motivate and educate youth as to their opportunities to preserve it.
3. Honor Utah soldiers of all wars with special emphasis on the war on terrorism.
A brief video presentation was viewed and each attendee received a packet of information on the project. Bob Sorensen, BSA Board of Director member, Great Salt Lake Council, expressed the BSA support for this project and its location on the same footprint in Liberty Park where the 1922 memorial currently is situated, and which the BSA originally sponsored. Military members from all branches (Navy, Marines, Air Force, Army, National Guard) including General Tarbet, Commander of the Utah National Guard, were in attendance, along with several public affairs representatives from Hill AFB and other military installations.
Dennis McFall, Deputy Director of the Department of Veterans Affairs, said this about the Utah Freedom Memorial presentation, “I think it is important that we continue to recognize the efforts and sacrifices that are made by our service men and women. Anything and everything we can do to honor their sacrifices will still fall short of what they do in the defense of freedom. Liberty Park is an appropriate setting for such a state-wide memorial. It will be viewed by youth and families. It will be a gathering place for those who wish to pay respect to Utah veterans.”
The memorial, titled, “The Cost of Freedom – A Tribute to Utah’s Military”, is planned to be constructed in Liberty Park and is supported by Governor Huntsman, Lt. Governor Herbert, WalMart, the BSA, Utah Patriot Guard and all branches of the military.
“Our message about creating this monument for the state of Utah was very well received by the Military Affairs Committee,” said Scott Trudo, a WalMart store manager and co-chair of the UFM.
“Freedom is not free, and these military members at today’s meeting know that perhaps more keenly than the rest of us”, said Tony Galvez, Gold Star Father and co-chair of the UFM.
Monument Arts, the company commissioned to design and build the monument, presented several large concept renderings to the group. “It is our distinct honor to assist the Utah Freedom Memorial organization with this inspirational monument project,” said Daniel Bolz, project coordinator.
MORE ABOUT THE UTAH FREEDOM MEMORIAL
The Utah Freedom Memorial organization is committed to build a Utah state-wide memorial that will ‘celebrate freedom and honor those who defend it’. The project was inspired by Tony Galvez, a Gold Star Father, and Scott Trudo, WalMart store manager and a patriot to freedom. The monument will be designed to celebrate freedom, honor current and past Utah military members with emphasis on the current war on terrorism, and educate children not associated with the military to experience a love for freedom, an awareness of their opportunities to preserve it, and a respect for those who defend it. More information on this memorial project may be found on-line at www.UtahFreedomMemorial.org.
END
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