PRESS RELEASE
For immediate release
Contact: Daniel Bolz, 801-376-5214
Utah Freedom Memorial
15 May2008 – Final design for Utah Freedom Memorial approved.
The UFM (Utah Freedom Memorial) Executive Steering Committee meeting in session today approved the final design of the memorial which will honor all Utah soldiers.
The final design was presented by Perry Van Schelt, chief designer for Monument Arts, the company commissioned to design and build the memorial. A total of six panels were presented to the committee, which highlighted various elevation views, overhead views and detailed views of the design. Mr. Van Schelt noted that once a venue site is secured, additional landscaping design work will be completed by Monument Arts affiliate David Wright of McNeil Aspen Consultants. The design for the Utah Freedom Memorial includes three main black granite panels which will depict the story of a young man as he moves from childhood to adulthood and military service. This story will be etched in the granite. Three smaller black granite panels will show a large map of the world with the location of all military wars highlighted. Several bronze figures grace the design. One scene called ‘the reunion’ depicts a soldier coming home and being greeted by his child and wife, who are running to him with open arms. Another bronze figure shows a teenager leaning against the etched story panel with his baseball bat in hand. Another bronze figure shows a female with outstretch hand touching a granite panel that has a soldier etched in it with his hand reaching outwards. The design footprint measures 40 feet in diameter.
The design was unanimously approved by the six person Executive Committee.
The main design guidelines for the memorial are:
Celebrate freedom
Inspire, motivate and educate youth as to the cost of freedom while emphasizing their opportunities and duties in preserving it
Honor Utah soldiers of all wars with special emphasis on the war on terrorism
The memorial, titled, “The Cost of Freedom – A Tribute to Utah’s Military”, is planned to be constructed in a location that has state-wide significance. Several state leaders including Governor Huntsman and Lt. Governor Herbert, plus other significant companies and organizations including WalMart, the BSA, Utah Patriot Guard and the Department of Veterans’ Affairs all support the monument.
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The monument’s tribute statement which will be etched in black granite reads:
For years the citizen soldiers and active duty soldiers of Utah have responded to the call. Their families support and prayers have followed them at every turn.
We pay tribute to their courage, their sacrifice, and their determination to fight for freedom – wherever that fight may take them.
As the 21st Century beckons us to an uncertain future rife with the cowardice of terrorism and the tyranny of despots, know that the Utah Soldier stands firm with resolve to be a defender of peace.
Standing in the defense of freedom is our duty, our privilege, and our sacred honor.
Good will prevail. Evil will fail.
Peace will permeate the planet… and at every chapter in this saga will stand the
Utah Soldier.
The UFM plans to have a venue site confirmed by June, 2008. Several potential sites have been reviewed including locations in Salt Lake County and Utah County.
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, or to make donations, go to HYPERLINK "http://www.UtahFreedomMemorial.org" www.UtahFreedomMemorial.org.
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