(TheProudRepublic.com) – The latest addition to the National World War I Memorial was revealed to the public on Pennsylvania Avenue as a reminder of our patriotic American history.
Dubbed “A Soldier’s Journey,” this bronze sculpture has become the site’s focal point.
The 25-ton, $8 million artwork is a major part of the ongoing efforts to honor Americans who fought in the Great War.
Sculptor Sabin Howard started creating this piece in January 2016, and it features 38 figures stretching over 58 feet.
Howard put his heart into this work, saying, “I sculpted this with every ounce of energy that I have, using all of my creative skills.”
“This memorial clearly defines what we the people in World War I looked like…World War I transformed the world. This sculpture is about that transformation.”
The sculpture is divided into five poignant scenes: departure, initiation, ordeal, aftermath and return.
Each scene vividly captures the harsh realities a soldier faces, from the pain of parting with family to the brutalities of combat.
Howard emphasized the relevance of the piece, noting, “A Soldier’s Journey represents us historically from a moment in history called the War to End All Wars, and A Soldier’s Journey is a representation and a statement about who we were a hundred years ago.”
He added, “A Soldier’s Journey is a representation of who we are now at this very moment.”
Howard also stated, “What you are about to witness is a radical and innovative cultural move towards potentiality.”
The unveiling ceremony highlighted each part of the sculpture, setting a powerful scene for attendees.
Smithsonian Magazine suggested, “It may become the greatest memorial bronze of the modern age.”
Beginning as a volunteer effort, the project initially struggled to secure funding.
However, the discovery of draft cards signed by ancestors of prominent American families sparked interest among major donors like FedEx, General Motors, the NFL and Walmart.
Despite often being overshadowed by World War II, World War I saw 4.7 million Americans serve and 116,516 make the ultimate sacrifice.
The newly revamped memorial aims to pay tribute to these individuals, who have long deserved recognition and respect.
Howard summed up the memorial’s spirit: “There are no victims here. They are all heroes.”
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