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Memorial in the making

A bronze statue honors troops
from Schofield

The 500-pound bronze statue of an American soldier who fought in Afghanistan last year will stand in front of a memorial to a fallen comrade, an M-4 carbine slung on his right side, holding a helmet over his heart.

Three other bronze statues of soldiers representing Tropic Lightning forces that fought in World War II and other conflicts will stand behind him, their faces showing comfort and support for the grieving soldier.

The first life-size bronze statue -- representing Tropic Lightning soldiers who fought last year in Iraq and Afghanistan -- will be unveiled June 10 in front of the 25th Infantry Division's Fernandez Hall at Schofield Barracks.

"I hope it will become a gathering place where a lot of people will find support," Oahu artist Lynn Weiler Liverton said. "I want this to be a place where they can find closure and get connected with people who have the same experience."

Liverton said her knowledge of the military was limited when she was asked by a colleague last year to submit an art proposal to honor all Tropic Lightning soldiers.

"The more time I spend talking with these soldiers," she said, "I realize there is a lot of filial pride. The guys in your unit become your family."

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The first sculpture was funded by the 25th Infantry Division Association. Three more are planned and funds are being raised, said Dave Garrod, the association's past president and co-chairman of efforts to pay for the memorial.

Garrod, who served with the 25th Division in Vietnam from 1967-68, said the final part of the memorial will be unveiled in September 2006 as part of the Tropic Lightning Association's convention here. The association, which has about 4,200 members, has already raised nearly $100,000 to pay for the $450,000 memorial. It is looking for corporate and other sponsors.

Liverton created the Stan Sheriff sculpture at the University of Hawaii arena and the bust of Jack Lord at Kahala Mall last year. She said this sculpture was challenging, especially because, early on, there were calls to have the grieving soldier kneeling.

"I didn't want to portray the soldier as one broken in spirit, since kneeling leaves a sense of defeat," said Liverton, who worked as a architect in Boston and here before obtaining her master's degree in fine arts from the University of Hawaii in 1996. That is why he now stands.

The model for the first bronze statue was Sgt. James Rivera, who was assigned to Alpha Company, 2nd Battalion, 35th Infantry Regiment, in Afghanistan and was awarded the Bronze Star and Purple Heart in 2004.

Rivera was chosen because of his wounds and because he is Hispanic, a group that has suffered the most casualties within the 25th Division in Iraq and Afghanistan. Rivera, who has been a member of the 25th Division since 2002, transferred from the West Virginia Air National Guard following the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.

Rivera, who still walks with a limp after being injured by a homemade bomb, said in a written statement: "They call me a hero but I'm a patriot. The true heroes are the ones that did not make it back home."

Donations Donations for the 25th Infantry Division's memorial can be sent to 25th Infantry Division Association, P.O. Box 7, Flourtown, PA 19031-0007. The association's Web site is 25thida.com.

The bronze soldier will be wearing knee and elbow pads, a flak vest and his Kevlar helmet with a clip for night vision goggles.

Rivera and a friend from his unit spent time with Liverton in November at her studio at Waldorf School in Kahala, where she teaches art.

"He was still wearing a band on his wrist engraved with the names of his buddies who died in a Humvee," Liverton said. "He still was recuperating from powder burns to his face, and his lips were still swollen. They came and told their stories, and I learned a lot."

All four sculptures will be cast in bronze by the Metal Arts Foundry in Lehi, Utah, which is located near Salt Lake City and also did the Jack Lord bust and a sculpture Liverton did for the shopping complex in Kapolei.

"The first soldier will be in a leather brown patina," Liverton added. "The other three will be gray -- they will be like spirits. They are consoling the soldier who is alive, but also honoring comrades who have fallen."

Garrod said he has seen only photographs of Liverton's statute. "It's great, especially the way she has been able to capture the expression on the soldier's face," he said.

Each of the sculptures will weigh 500 pounds and be placed inside a 17-foot circle located in front of the flagpole on Sills Field at the division's headquarters building.

An 18-inch rock wall will surround the memorial, which will have benches and six Manila palm trees.