Fallen Soldier Veterans Memorial installed in Jasper Texas
Sculptures Honor Area Veterans
By Sharon Kerr
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Two bronze "Fallen Soldier" sculptures will be dedicated to veterans this Saturday, Nov. 11; one on the Jasper courthouse square at 10 a.m. and the other at Umphrey Pavilion near Rayburn at noon.
The 45-inch tall life-size sculpture was created by artist Richard Rist with actual military gear using a lost wax casting method. It depicts a soldier's boots, rifle and helmet arranged in what is commonly called the "battlefield cross."
Lequin Hilderbrand, treasurer of the Jasper project, said, "This started as a simple conversation between Roy James and myself, and then we pitched it to some individuals...Bill Wise sketched the concept and (in June) county commissioners gave permission to go ahead."
The veterans' memorial on the courthouse square, a granite monument listing wars from World War I to the Persian Gulf, was originally dedicated in 1992.
Last week, the names of Iraq and Afghanistan were sandblasted onto the monument. Private residents raised the funds to buy the bronze sculpture and add a set of each of the five Armed Forces flags as a backdrop. Recessed lighting will highlight the memorial at night.
Hilderbrand said, "I am not a veteran, but I recognize that everything we do in our lives on a daily basis-the freedoms and privileges- were fought for and protected... We owe our veterans and can never repay what we've been given."
Lt. Col. Robert Kaiser from Ft. Polk, La., commander of the 4th Special Troop Battalion, 4th Brigade combat team of the 10th Mountain Division will be the guest speaker at the Jasper dedication. His battalion will accompany him for the raising of the colors and a rifle squad gun salute.
Jasper County Judge Joe Folk will also speak, and the presentation will conclude with playing of taps.
A second "Fallen Soldier" bronze sculpture will be dedicated at noon at Umphrey Pavilion.
It was donated by the Paralyzed Veterans of America (PVA) chapters in Dallas, Fort Worth and Houston in memory of Colonel Bill Marshall, according to Tom McClurg, a member of the Pavilion board.
Marshall served in World War II, the Korean War and Vietnam. Once he had retired to Rayburn Country, he served as chairman of the Lake Sam Rayburn Pavilion Association.
McClurg said they will have a color guard ceremony with the U.S. and Texas flags, and Judge Folk will be the speaker.
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