thedrifter
07-04-07, 05:45 AM
Posted on Wed, Jul. 04, 2007
Hollywood monument dedicated to fallen warriors
BY ANI MARTINEZ
It was years before Lawrence Krutt could sit peacefully at a memorial to remember friends who fought along side him in the Korean War or World War II.
The men and women fighting in the Iraq and Afghanistan wars don't have to wait that long.
A memorial honoring fallen soldiers, airmen, Marines and sailors from the Iraq and Afghanistan wars was dedicated Tuesday during a ceremony at City Hall Circle in Hollywood.
''I don't know if I could do what those soldiers are doing,'' said Krutt, 78, who was a sergeant in the Marines. ``So many people don't understand this war or why so many are fighting and dying. They all deserve to be remembered.''
Dozens of veterans in uniforms decorated with medals and patches along with several local officials attended the dedication.
Many veterans agreed the memorial couldn't come soon enough.
''It's a very tough situation because no war was ever fought like this war,'' said Thomas Kappel, 75, who was an E4-corporal in the Korean War. ``They've got the toughest job of all and I wouldn't want to switch with them.''
Two bronze statues were added to the memorial area outside the city's public library, 2600 Hollywood Blvd.
Tribute Eagle consists of an eagle crouching on a tall pedestal to honor lives lost.
Fallen Soldier displays a soldier's rifle with the firing end down and a helmet hanging from the gun butt, with a pair of military boots in front. An inscription reads: ``All gave some -- some gave all.''
Army Capt. Daniel Grundvig Jr., who is based in U.S. Southern Command Headquarters in Miami, was the keynote speaker.
Grundvig, 36, spoke about fighting in Iraq with fellow soldiers in 134-degree weather. He was stationed in Iraq from February 2003 to April 2004.
''Today we pay tribute to all the men and women who paid the ultimate price for God and country,'' said Grundvig, originally from Hollywood. ``So on this day and whenever you pass by a war memorial remember... Remember who sacrificed so that we may live free.''
The memorial was organized by the city of Hollywood's parking services department.
The $9,000 eagle was made by Sagle, Idaho-based Mike Curtis Studios, and the $4,400 Fallen Soldier was made by Baltimore-based Large Art Company. Private donations and a fundraising golf tournament paid for the statues.
While Chuck Vollman, 73, spoke about the Korean War and looked at memorabilia including guns, helmets and postcards, the veteran was brought to tears.
''The monument is terrific. It's beautiful,'' said Vollman, of Hollywood, who served in Korea from 1952 until 1955. ``In a sentence, it depicts the sadness of the war.''
Ellie
Hollywood monument dedicated to fallen warriors
BY ANI MARTINEZ
It was years before Lawrence Krutt could sit peacefully at a memorial to remember friends who fought along side him in the Korean War or World War II.
The men and women fighting in the Iraq and Afghanistan wars don't have to wait that long.
A memorial honoring fallen soldiers, airmen, Marines and sailors from the Iraq and Afghanistan wars was dedicated Tuesday during a ceremony at City Hall Circle in Hollywood.
''I don't know if I could do what those soldiers are doing,'' said Krutt, 78, who was a sergeant in the Marines. ``So many people don't understand this war or why so many are fighting and dying. They all deserve to be remembered.''
Dozens of veterans in uniforms decorated with medals and patches along with several local officials attended the dedication.
Many veterans agreed the memorial couldn't come soon enough.
''It's a very tough situation because no war was ever fought like this war,'' said Thomas Kappel, 75, who was an E4-corporal in the Korean War. ``They've got the toughest job of all and I wouldn't want to switch with them.''
Two bronze statues were added to the memorial area outside the city's public library, 2600 Hollywood Blvd.
Tribute Eagle consists of an eagle crouching on a tall pedestal to honor lives lost.
Fallen Soldier displays a soldier's rifle with the firing end down and a helmet hanging from the gun butt, with a pair of military boots in front. An inscription reads: ``All gave some -- some gave all.''
Army Capt. Daniel Grundvig Jr., who is based in U.S. Southern Command Headquarters in Miami, was the keynote speaker.
Grundvig, 36, spoke about fighting in Iraq with fellow soldiers in 134-degree weather. He was stationed in Iraq from February 2003 to April 2004.
''Today we pay tribute to all the men and women who paid the ultimate price for God and country,'' said Grundvig, originally from Hollywood. ``So on this day and whenever you pass by a war memorial remember... Remember who sacrificed so that we may live free.''
The memorial was organized by the city of Hollywood's parking services department.
The $9,000 eagle was made by Sagle, Idaho-based Mike Curtis Studios, and the $4,400 Fallen Soldier was made by Baltimore-based Large Art Company. Private donations and a fundraising golf tournament paid for the statues.
While Chuck Vollman, 73, spoke about the Korean War and looked at memorabilia including guns, helmets and postcards, the veteran was brought to tears.
''The monument is terrific. It's beautiful,'' said Vollman, of Hollywood, who served in Korea from 1952 until 1955. ``In a sentence, it depicts the sadness of the war.''
Ellie