The Anchorage Veteran's Memorial was recently renovated by the Anchorage Parks Foundation who partnered with Veterans Committee to raise funds to complete the project.
The following is from Anchorage Parks Foundation website...
The 26-year old memorial was in need of a major renovation, including access for the disabled, concrete rehabilitation, vandal-proofing, plant and landscaping work, a lighting system, expanded water service, public event accessories, and other enhanced design features.
The Municipality of Anchorage, State of Alaska, Rasmuson Foundation, Alaska USA FCU, the late Ms. Mary Louise Rasmuson, and the Atwood Foundation all provided significant funding. Veterans’ groups, business and industry, labor organizations, fraternal groups, local foundations, and other institutions and individuals participated in funding this project.
The essential theme and physical attributes of the present memorial remain intact: A quiet, reflective setting surrounding the flagpole, which contains bronze panels honoring those Alaskan citizens lost in war, including WWII, Korea, Vietnam, Grenada, the Gulf War, Iraq, and Afghanistan. The WWII soldier remains, as does the monument to Purple Heart recipients. The iconic Fallen Warrior statue (boots / rifle / helmet) was added during reconstruction, as well as two sculptured screen panels.
This memorial is our community’s central recognition venue for the service and sacrifice of so many of our citizens. In addition to honoring veterans, contributions reinforced the tradition and exceptional stature Anchorage holds in support of the active military, veterans, and their families. In a period when Alaskan citizens fought in global combat theaters and became casualties, the Veterans Committee was determined to bring the memorial up to the standards which justify their sacrifices.
The two new sculptured panels have the theme "Given...by the Great Land". These are solemn artworks which flank the USA flagpole and the memorials to the Alaskan military who have given the ultimate sacrifice in their service to the country.
The North Panel (shown above) entitled “Reflections on the Great One” is 8 feet high by 20 feet long. It is constructed with stainless steel, aluminum and granite with stainless steel mesh and bronze elements. The sculpture is meant to be viewed and touched from all sides and is subtly lighted with 13 lights. The 13 panels of mesh and granite create an abstracted view of the iconic image of Denali “The Great One”. Sculpted in bronze, an Honor Guard’s arms release an eagle that flies toward the summit. The symbolic elements in the sculpture include:
--Honor Guard and Eagle Release – the soul of the Veteran flies to the summit of Denali--
--Mountain showing the strength of Alaska Veterans--
--13 vertical columns representing the stripes of Old Glory--
--Missing spaces for the lives Given by the Great Land POW/MIA--
--Mesh is the strong fabric of our military men and women--
The POW/MIA flag flies over this sculptural panel.
The South Panel (shown above) entitled “O’er Land and Sea a Beacon Bright“ shows an abstracted ocean vista constructed of granite slabs with linear cliff forms on the mesh. In the center, the beckoning Big Dipper stars, the Honor Guard Bugler and the Presentation Flag provide realistic touchstones to this monumental artwork. The symbolic elements in the sculpture include:
--Folded Presentation Flag for the Fallen Warrior--
--Bugler plays the 24 notes of TAPS--
--Eight stars of Gold for the Big Dipper in the Alaska Flag and the Gold Stars Moms--
--North Star is the guiding light that brings the fallen back home--
--Mesh is the strong fabric of the military in our state and country and is a place to leave reminders for family and comrades.--
The Alaska State flag flies over this sculptural panel.
To locate the final, you will need to observe and read several of the memorial's displays.
The final is located at...
N 61 AB.CDE W 149 FG.HIJ
where,
A = the last digit of the year that the statue of the WW II soldier was dedicated
B = the 'alphabet' number of the first letter in the last name of the first Alaskan serviceman listed who fell in Korea
C = the 'alphabet' number of the third letter in the abbreviation of the rank of the first Alaskan serviceman listed who fell in Iraq
D = the last digit of the year inscribed on the memorial 'ground' stone that was dedicated on May 25
E = the first digit of the year that the south panel was dedicated
F = the 'alphabet' number of the second letter of the last word inscribed on the Purple Heart monument
G = the last digit of the year that the north panel was dedicated
H = the 'alphabet' number of the second letter in the first name of the second Alaskan serviceman listed who fell in Vietnam
IJ = the number that 2LT Edward W. Lamson is on the list of Alaskans who fell in World War II
Many thanks to all you premium members out there! Your membership dollars help pay for the infrastructure that keeps this game going!
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