MORE THAN 10 YEARS AGO - A BEGINNING
In 1999, Ellie Scarfone-Malanowski wanted to build a Memorial for the troops under the command and direction of the United States Central Command (USCENTCOM) at MacDill Air Force Base, Tampa, Florida. Her Godfather and mentor, Richard "Dick" Leandri, was instrumental in the building of the the RANGER Memorial at Fort Benning, SOCOM Memorial at MacDill, and one of the first community memorials, the Military Memorial in Largo, Florida plus numerous other projects for the military.
PARTNERS
Together with Julia Baker and other friends, discussion started. Almost eight years later, after the needs of the base, a couple wars and the Memorial is built. Seven of those years the AOR or CENTCOM'S region has been "hot" and this slows things down. Today we look back and muse over the fact the longest war in US history and the longest Memorial to be dedicated both share something.
In 2001, the United States Central Command was approached by Ellie and Julia, the founders to discuss the possibility of building a Memorial to honor the men and women who served in USCENTCOM. Then Commander, General Tommy R. Franks felt the idea was both commendable and necessary.
The foundation also indicated this area could be more than just a place to honor our troops. It would best serve and provide an atmosphere for reflection, and would lend itself well as a place for award presentations, promotions, and retirement ceremonies. Today, the meaning of this Memorial takes on a whole new dimension.
It was planned prophetically in advance of the War in Iraqi. Who knew, or could predict, the need that this Memorial addresses. This lead to the formation of the United States Central Command Memorial Foundation, Inc.
ARCHITECT - MR. RANDOLF WEDDING - COMES TO OUR AID
Mr. Randolph Wedding and Associates, St. Petersburg, Florida incorporated some themes into the Memorial that reflect the meaning of the design and intent.
The Podium serves as the center for the Flags and Regimental Colors of various services and for formal occasions. It provides the elevated speaker’s platform for these services.
The elliptical shape of the center of the Memorial houses the artwork of the Area of Responsibility.
Today it includes 25 countries. The Horn of Africa will have its own command. It also has the United States Central Command Shield. This area also shows the Major Campaigns CENTCOM has participated in since its creation in 1983. The balance of the walls and are an area of recognition of those American Servicemen and Women who have paid the ultimate price for freedom.
It was the architects plan to convey the feeling of outstretched arms in the overall design of the Memorial. Thus the front of the memorial is lower than the back. The color scheme will reflect the colors and hues of the desert camouflage which is so much of the Area of Responsibility CENTCOM covers. The selection will go well with the planned landscaping literally creating and oasis.
LONG TIME LINE
We were incorporated the 10th of October 2001. The Foundation immediately began to develop the plan to design and construct a lasting monument in coordination with the 6th Air Mobility Wing and Civil Engineering Services.
Meetings with the base engineers and preliminary studies finished most of 2001. In 2002 we received our IRS Tax ID number and Tax Exempt Status 501(c)(3)
The Base approval of site plan signed off June of 2002. Community leaders were presented with the Memorial Foundation's introduction of concept at a private reception. It was warmly received.
JANUARY 2003
Ceremonial Ground Breaking took place in January 2003. In 2008, after Congressional approval and the designated site area approved, construction plans began and were submitted. Two wars and the needs of many personnel in these Commands took precedence as the needs of the two wars required. We waited for Congressional approval and waited.
FIRST PRESS RELEASE 2008
Our team has remained the same. In the photograph below from left to right is Vice President Julia Baker, President Ellie Scarfone-Malanowski, and our Treasurer. David L. Troop. Alan Jacobson gets to do the photography.
BOARD, THE ARCHITECT and BUILDER
St. Petersburg FL (January 18th, 2008) After almost seven years of planning, conference's, estimates, progress, regression, revisions, success and frustration, that's all in the past now.
Board of Directors of the CENTCOM MEMORIAL FOUNDATION are pleased to announce that on Friday the 18th of January 2008, the contract to build the CENTCOM MEMORIAL was awarded and issued. The documents were signed and issued at the offices of C. Randolph Wedding, Architect. Not more than 45 days later the ground clearing and site preparation began.
The architectural design and plans are by the renowned Architect C. Randolph Wedding of Wedding and Associates, Architects, Inc and were modified to update standards and approved.
In over forty years of practice, the Wedding firm has been a leader in shaping the built environment of the Tampa Bay area. Their portfolio includes local landmarks such as the original Busch Gardens in Tampa and the Florida Power (now Ceridian) headquarters in St. Petersburg, and encompasses literally millions of square feet of commercial, office, multi-family, industrial and educational buildings.
HALFACRE CONSTRUCTION
The company with the winning bid is HALFACRE Construction Company of Sarasota Florida. They have a great deal of experience in this arena having previously built Memorials, and varied local projects, at MacDill AFB and other Tampa Bay locations.
After the plans were approved in 2003, they were reviewed in Washington for approval by the House of Representatives, the Secretary of Defense, the Department of Defense and the United States Senate. This is the procedure that needed to be followed even though we are not using government funding, all of our funds have come from donations and the hearts of those that care. Again, no government funding was used in the Memorial.
CONSTRUCTION BEGINS - 2008
SLIDESHOW OF THE FOUNDATIONS EFFORTS (soon)