Established before September 11, 2001


This is the OFFICIAL Site for the CENTCOM MEMORIAL FOUNDATION

"Dedicated to the support of the Men and Women of the
United States Armed Forces"


 

 

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Rendering,  Design, Sculptures of the Memorial


ARCHITECT
Mr. Randolph Wedding and Associates
St. Petersburg, Florida

NOTES:  (Subject to change)
1.   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.
2.   The elliptical shape of the center of the Memorial houses the artwork of the ""Area of Responsibility"
3.   Another proposed addition to the Memorial, the "Gate of Honor", provides additional space for selected Major Groups, Corporate, or Individual Sponsors. Pavers will fill the steps and approach to the Memorial. (Not Shown but in the are of number 3)
4.    A unique art form shows the "Area of Responsibility" of CENTCOM, which includes 25 countries.
5.   An area of recognition of those American Servicemen and Women who have paid the ultimate price for freedom.
6.   Allied ( Coalition Countries) lost in battle will be recognized. Sculpture possible location.
7.   The United States Central Command Shield. This area also shows the Major Campaigns CENTCOM has participated in since its creation in 1983.
8.   The Universal Floor  Pavers will be colored and textured to coincide with the Wall’s "Open Arms Theme".

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 an oasis.
 

SCULPTURE by Scott Stearman
 P.O. Box 417, Green Mountain Falls, Colorado 80819
 scott@scottstearman.com
 
Communication is my first consideration when creating a sculpture. I believe that any worthwhile artistic effort must be focused on the communication of ideas and reflects the philosophy and ideals of the artist or the client.   Art should provide clarity, illumination, and understanding; deeper insight into the wonders of life and love and faith.  When someone looks at the work I create over my lifetime, I want them to see a sincere body of work that reflects a lifetime spent listening to the whispers of the soul.

Bringing it to Life...The Memorial will contain bronzes depicting our soldiers in battle dress in different positions.  These life size bronzes will be at ground level so they may be interactive with the public visiting the Memorial and those who wish to take pictures as a remembrance. 

Everything in the design of this Memorial is about the troops and Central Command.  The architecture, the colors, the statues and the landscaping.  All reflect the AOR and the missions of Central Command.  It was decided by the Memorial Board the work of Colorado artist Scott Stearman would be most appropriate for the project.

Scott Stearman is known for his work on many projects.  One in particular, "Tears from a Grateful Heart"  is at the Veterans Memorial at Warren Ohio.  A smaller desk size version of that statue  was presented to  Gen. Henry Shelton upon his taking command as Chairman of the Joint Chiefs.  Below is a preliminary sketch of one of the prospective designs as suggested by personnel at Ft. Carson. Ft. Carson is close to Scott's Studio and they have been most helpful and have shown excited interest in this project
 



Communication is my first consideration when creating a sculpture. I believe that any worthwhile artistic effort must be focused on the communication of ideas and reflects the philosophy and ideals of the artist or the client.

Art should provide clarity, illumination, and understanding; deeper insight into the wonders of life and love and faith.

When someone looks at the work I create over my lifetime, I want them to see a sincere body of work that reflects a lifetime spent listening to the whispers of the soul.

The STORY BEHIND THE FIGURES...

Here is some detailed description of some of the features on the male soldier of the CENTCOM Memorial. The figure of the male soldier (SPC Ontario Washington) is presented as a combat troop.

I wanted to create an image that reflects the soldier as if he has just returned from a patrol…like he’s been walking the streets of Baghdad and came directly to the memorial to honor his friends.

Here are some of the details:

  • The soles of his boots are worn. These are literally “boots on the ground”.  His Camelback is empty…he has spent himself today in his duty.

  • One dog tag is visible in the laces of his left boot.

  • He holds his gloves in a clinched fist of resolve.  His watch on his vest is upside down to the observer, but correct for him.

  • The time on his watch is set to 9:11. His right shoulder is clear of gear to not interfere with his rifle aim.  His weapons are an M4 Carbine and an M9 Beretta.  He wears one knee pad on his right knee.  He wears a wedding ring…he has a family.  His eyes are fixed on the wall. The legs of his BDU's are not tucked into his boots for ventilation in the hot air….not militarily correct…but it’s accurate.  Many visitors to my studio have asked, “Why is the flag patch backwards?”   Most people expect the flag to be presented with the star field on the left. On the right shoulder of the sculpture, the stars are on the right  As it is presented on the sculpture, it is militarily correct. My answer is, “Stars forward…always advancing, never retreating.”  The hands of Washington are sculpted around life casts of CWO Ken Umbwest, 10th Special Forces-Airborne.  He has seen duty in Afghanistan and Iraq.

     

 

Sgt. Amy Perkins is presented as a support troop.  She has done two tours in Iraq as an Arabic interpreter. She told me she is transferring out of the army and I asked her why. She said, “I have seven year-old twins and I have missed the last three birthdays. I don’t want to miss any more.” 

I told her that to honor her service I am placing images of her two twins in the lining of her helmet. They will be visible as the inside of her helmet faces forward.

She then got quiet, and thoughtful. “You’re doing a sculpture of me standing in front of this wall looking at the names…and my fiancé’s name will be on that wall.”  During her first tour in Iraq, Amy was attached to a special forces group and that’s where she met Aaron. She came home…he didn’t.

I met Amy after her first tour when we were taking reference photos for this project. Soon after this, she received the news about Aaron. After she told me their story, I told her that Aaron’s picture will be inside her helmet along with her kids.

It’s profoundly humbling to realize that a hundred years from now, her story will not be known to many, but we will have created an enduring image in bronze that says forever, “This soldier was a mom and she carried a weapon and she fulfilled her duty and she loved someone.”

These little details, along with the wedding ring on Washington, speak softly yet powerfully about the dads and moms, sons and daughters, and brothers and sisters who, as average Americans, become extraordinary when they take the oath, raise their weapon, and stare into the face of our enemies…so that we don’t have to.