Oregon Dedicates Memorial
The state of Oregon set a precedent on Veterans Day by dedicating a memorial to its casualties from Afghanistan and Iraq. Though billed as the first of a kind, Arkansas actually dedicated a memorial to its National Guard troops killed in these wars on Sept. 10, 2005. Oregon's memorial includes all residents with ties to the state.
The memorial efforts, under way for two years, was conceived and launched primarily by one family - Clay and M.J. Kesterson. Their son Erik was killed in Iraq. The family raised more than $100,000 in cash and garnered $400,00 in in-kind support. the state pitched in $181,000.
Located on the grounds of the Oregon VA Department on the Capital Mall in Salem, the Afghan-Iraqi Freedom Memorial features a large fountain and an 8-foot bronze statue of a kneeling soldier with an outstretched hand. The 74 names of the soldiers and Marines killed are inscribed on a granite wall.
Gary Cupp, who donated labor to complete the project and whose son is in Iraq, said, "I'm glad to see them doing this now, and not waiting so long like they did after WWII. These guys need to be honored today, not 10 or 20 years from now."
The memorial efforts, under way for two years, was conceived and launched primarily by one family - Clay and M.J. Kesterson. Their son Erik was killed in Iraq. The family raised more than $100,000 in cash and garnered $400,00 in in-kind support. the state pitched in $181,000.
Located on the grounds of the Oregon VA Department on the Capital Mall in Salem, the Afghan-Iraqi Freedom Memorial features a large fountain and an 8-foot bronze statue of a kneeling soldier with an outstretched hand. The 74 names of the soldiers and Marines killed are inscribed on a granite wall.
Gary Cupp, who donated labor to complete the project and whose son is in Iraq, said, "I'm glad to see them doing this now, and not waiting so long like they did after WWII. These guys need to be honored today, not 10 or 20 years from now."
