"No Man Left Behind" Statue Unveiled

[Kegler300]

The statue, "No Man Left Behind" was unveiled Friday afternoon at the front entrance of the Warrior Hope and Care Center aboard Camp Lejeune. Hope For The Warriors commissioned the creation of the monument as tribute to all wounded and fallen service members. From left, sculpture creator John Phelps, Sgt. Chris Marquez, LMSW Executive Vice President Tina Atherall,Cpl. Dane Shaffer and President/CEO of Hope for the Warriors Robin Kelleher. The statue depicts Sgt. Chris Marquez and Cpl. Dane Shaffer carrying then-1st Sgt. Bradley Kasal out of a house to safety.

As a 10-foot tall bronze monument outside of the Wounded Warrior Battalion Hope and Care Center on Camp Lejeune was revealed clapping and cheers rang out, echoing off of the nearby trees.

“This monument itself is about hope, and that’s something that is important for the American public to recognize,” said Robin Kelleher, the president and CEO of Hope For The Warriors. “(The wounded warriors) don’t necessarily need money and trips. The hope is the real important concept that our service members need to move onto the next phase of recovery or their next phase of life — so this is for us, it’s about everything we do.”

On Friday afternoon, former Marine Sgt. Christopher Marquez and former Marine Cpl. Dane Shaffer unveiled the monument, which depicts them aiding now Sgt. Maj. Bradley Kasal during a firefight in Fallujah, Iraq, in 2004. The monument’s sculptor John Phelps, a gold-star father himself, spent the last four years constructing the life-sized monument, which was completed on Nov. 1.

“The monument itself is a gift,” said Kelleher, 47, of Alexandria, Va. “We have been very involved with the Warrior Hope and Care Center. You don’t need to ask too many questions when you drive up and see something like this. … I think everyone should come see it and see what this monument is all about.”

Kelleher describes the monument as part of Phelps’ sacrifice.

“The gift that he has given to the Marine Corps through this monument — it’s a way we support our fallen families. Everything about this place is about healing and honoring,” said Kelleher. “It’s a pinnacle moment for all of us.”

Phelps’ journey with Hope For The Warriors began in 2004 after his son Chance Phelps was killed in Iraq. John Phelps and his wife were subsequently named ambassadors for the state of Wyoming. When he requested to be more than an ambassador, he came to an agreement with Hope For The Warriors to put his sculpting talents to good use.

The construction of the monument made him miss his son more and more, he said.

“(The Marines) understand (the monument) is honoring the sacrifice of all Marines especially the wounded,” Phelps said.

According to Lt. Col Nick Davis, 41, of Sneads Ferry, this monument is a culmination of years of constructing facilities and programs for the wounded, ill and injured Marines and sailors aboard Camp Lejeune.

“As a Marine walks or drives into this complex, they are going to see Marines helping Marines,” said Davis, the commanding officer of Wounded Warrior Battalion East. “And that’s what Wounded Warrior Battalion East does. Our mission is to help the wounded, ill and injured in their transition back to the fleet or back to civilian life and this monument shows that in sculpture.”

Davis said the battalion supports 458 Marines and their families every day. And, Davis said, there is just as much support for Wounded Warrior Battalion East itself.

http://www.jdnews.com/news/military/...1.107988?tc=cr

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[Bruce59]

That statue reminds me of this picture from Iraq.
I believe the wounded Marine is the Co. first Sgt.
being helped out of a house after he killed many
insurgents. S/F

wounded.jpg

[Kegler300]

This is where the idea for the statue came from. That's 1stSgt (SgtMaj) Kasal in in the center of the statue with his .45.

[Bruce59]

I thought that the statue looked to close to the picture to be a coincidence.
Thanks for posting it. It gave me something to post on my blog that is
worth seeing, Marines helping Marines. S/F

[Rocky C]

Outstanding