Learn more about this Sculpture
This sculpture was cut into a wave like shape, representing us moving forward and away from 9/11. The Utah Fallen Warrior Memorial is dedicated to all the Gold Star Families in Utah, who have lost loved ones who served from the Gulf War to present day. It was determined that San would work with Mountain Crane out of Salt Lake City, Utah and the Fort Douglas National Military Museum to place the Utah Fallen Warrior Memorial Sculpture. Raette belcher, one of the owners of Mountain crane and her husband Dave Belcher, took up the mantle of funding this sculpture and finding other donors to get this in place. It all started with them sponsoring a 9,000 mile tour and having the great honor of bringing out to the people, this memorial to see along the way. Starting at Sans’ Fort Myers, Florida studio, stopping at the Atlanta Braves Stadium, NASCAR, up to Chicago and Daley Plaza, over though the Midwest at Cardinals Stadium, down through Texas and then up to and all around the great state of Utah. This tour was met along the way with fanfare and emotional greetings from many across the United States who came to visit this memorial as it had stops in many cities along the way. Once it reached the state of Utah, Raette and Dave took it on a state tour, greeting friends, families, military and fist responders that protect their home towns. Once the tour was over, Robert Holston the curator of the Fort Douglas National Military Museum agreed to receive and protect this 9/11 memorial on the grounds of the Museum. The entire community of Salt Lake City came together to build the memorial grounds at the museum from a grass lawn into a mini parklike atmosphere. Home Depot donated many things as the pavers, landscaping, a gazebo was built for shelter and they even got one of the 2002 Utah Olympic Park Flag poles donated which sits on site. Taking a 1 acre grassy land area behind the Museum, it was transformed into the beautiful memorial you see today. Governor Herbert was at the dedication ceremony for this Project 911UP memorial. Pictured below is Governor Herbert in October of 2013, with benefactors, Raette and Dave Belcher who were part owners of Mountain Crane and they still reside in Utah, today.
San has visited this memorial several times over the years. She has become friends with some of the 200+ gold star families that this sculpture is dedicated to. San is humbled by their continued support for this memorial dedicated to them. There has been several gatherings at the Fort Douglas Museum for those families in order to share a meal, reminisce about their loved ones lost and to just rekindle memories with one another. San hopes this memorial serves as a healing stone for all to be around and to bring others to its location so that all will know you and yours are never forgotten.