This sculpture shows a GI with rifle in relief. The four corners of the plaque show four different views from life in this era.
Constructed to honor Oklahoma war veterans killed in action, the Oklahoma Veterans’ Memorial is located just minutes away from downtown Oklahoma City and other popular local attractions. It is worth the effort to visit and pay tribute to Oklahomans who gave their all to preserve the freedoms we now enjoy.
“The Big Guy” leads the way on the north side of the Oklahoma State Supreme Court. He stands 8½ feet tall and is on a 3½ foot pedestal. His bronze face has the features of a Native American who is wearing the gear of a Vietnam soldier. Behind him are four walls with bas relief bronze panels representing World War I, World War II, the Korean War and the Vietnam War. Respectfully located on the front of each panel are scenes depicting each of these wars. Reverently placed on the back of the walls are the names of the Oklahomans killed in action during that particular war.
Flag poles fly the flags of each branch of the Armed Forces and the Oklahoma State flag. “Old Glory” is honorably placed in the center.
The “Eternal Flame” is aligned with “The Big Guy” and the center of the south entrance of the Oklahoma State Capitol building, humbly reminding our leaders that “we must never forget.” The State of Oklahoma donated the land for the memorial and its construction was funded by donations from all over the country.
On December 7, 1999, a memorial to the USS Oklahoma, sank at Pearl Harbor, was unveiled and dedicated to those killed in that attack.