There are now a total of 10 monuments or statues that honor military members – including one that was unveiled recently.
The newest monument is a tribute to Fallen Soldiers who never came home from war. It is deep in detail and paints a poignant picture about battlefield casualties.
“This monument honors everyone that’s ever lost their life fighting for this country,” said Steve Guider, who created Veterans Memorial Park. “It also represents those that have fought for this country and have passed away following that.”
The park has plenty of powerful displays and messages, but for Guider the Fallen Soldier is extra special.
“This is actually the monument I wanted to get in the most,” Guider said. “There’s over 1.5 million soldiers that have lost their lives fighting for this country.”
The Fallen Soldier is likely to be a popular site at Veterans Memorial Park.
“To me it’s the most important statue in this park, in this city and I would say in this state,” Guider said. “I don’t think there’s anything else anyplace in this state that honors fallen soldiers like this does.”
The theme of the monument depicts soldiers in World War II.
“The greatest loss of life happened during World War II,” Guider said. “Over 405,000 US soldiers passed away then.”
Flood of emotions
Throughout US history, young troops have been thrust into conflict and there have been devastating outcomes.
“The cost to this country is incredible,” Guider said. “It’s young people – 18-22 year old’s that gave their lives so that we can have the freedom and liberties that we have today. Tell my mom I love her is the statue. The fallen soldier in his arms. The look on his face reflects the moment that he just passed away. The soldier holding him, we are saying, is a brother. A tight friend that he served with.”
When vets come to the park they often experience a flood of emotions.
“I think what’s important about this park is veterans feel appreciated,” Guider said. “I talk to so many that are here. They’re in tears. This place to them is sacred ground.”
The monument is definitely generating a response.
“The people that have been out here already have gone, ‘I can not believe how realistic this looks,’ Guider said. “Sometimes you need to see sad things to appreciate the magnitude of what this statue represents.”
Guider started Veterans Memorial Park in 2018.
