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Statue of the American Soldier in Iraq
www.usstopekaclg8.org ^
| 4/1/04
| Bob Ohm
Posted on 04/01/2004 3:08:56 PM PST by ovrtaxt
This picture of the statue was made by an Iraqi artist named Kalat, who for years was forced by Saddam Hussein to make the many hundreds of bronze busts of Saddam that dotted Baghdad. This artist was so grateful that the Americans liberated his country, he melted 3 of the fallen Saddam heads and made a memorial statue dedicated to the American soldiers and their fallen comrades. Kalat worked on this night and day for several months. To the left of the kneeling soldier is a small Iraqi girl giving the soldier comfort as he mourns the loss of his comrade in arms. It is currently on display outside the palace that is now home to the 4th Infantry division. It will eventually be shipped and shown at the memorial museum in Fort Hood, Texas.
Origins: According to the Army News Service (ARNEWS), the text reproduced above is a relatively accurate description of the statue shown in the photograph accompanying it.
In July 2003, two statues of Saddam Hussein, which an Iraqi sculptor named Kalat had a hand in creating, were removed with explosives from outside a palace complex in Saddam's hometown of Tikrit, Iraq, where the U.S. Army's 4th Infantry Division headquarters group is located. The 555th Engineer Group cut up the bronze statues and shipped the pieces to Kalat, who using a photograph of 1st Sgt. Glen Simpson as a model spent several months fashioning them into a likeness of an American soldier kneeling to mourn a fallen comrade, while a young girl reaches out to comfort him in his time of grief.
According to ARNEWS:
The sculpture is based on a scene many in Iraq have witnessed in one form or another.
A Soldier kneels before a memorial of boots, rifle and helmet ? his forehead resting in the hollow of hiss hand. Behind and to his right stands a small Iraqi girl with her hand reaching out to touch his shoulder.
The statue evokes emotion. The girl was added to the statue to remind people of why the sacrifice was made, [Command Sgt. Maj. Chuck] Fuss said.
"It's about freedom for this country, but it's also about the children who will grow up in a free society," he said.
The statue will eventually be flown to the 4th Infantry Division museum at Fort Hood, Texas.
Submitted by Bob Ohm
TOPICS: Culture/Society; Extended News; Foreign Affairs; News/Current Events; War on Terror
KEYWORDS: iraq; iraqsoldierstatue; statue
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I just got a link to this in email today. In light of recent events in Iraq, I thought it was appropriate to post it here.
Thank God for people like this artist.
1
posted on
04/01/2004 3:08:57 PM PST
by
ovrtaxt
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Thanks for donating to Free Republic!
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2
posted on
04/01/2004 3:09:39 PM PST
by
Support Free Republic
(I'd rather be sleeping. Let's get this over with so I can go back to sleep!)
To: jjm2111
A re-post of your subject from a month ago.
3
posted on
04/01/2004 3:11:07 PM PST
by
ovrtaxt
(Proud member of the Offensive Banned Tagline club.)
To: ovrtaxt; RonDog
WOW! Wonderful!
RonDog - Get this to Hugh!!
4
posted on
04/01/2004 3:31:10 PM PST
by
Solson
(Always remember when you are on top of the world , that the earth rotates every 24 hrs.)
To: Ragtime Cowgirl
You have to see this. Great statue! Great story!
5
posted on
04/01/2004 3:33:19 PM PST
by
MizSterious
(First, the journalists, THEN the lawyers.)
To: ovrtaxt
Beautiful, but it brings tears to my eyes.
6
posted on
04/01/2004 3:33:29 PM PST
by
madison10
To: ovrtaxt
The statue will eventually be flown to the 4th Infantry Division museum at Fort Hood, Texas. Because if it were left standing unguarded in iraq, the local trash would immediately deface it. Its amaturish work anyway, I hope it ends up in a basement storeroom at Ft Hood.
To: 68-69TonkinGulfYatchClub; StarCMC; LindaSOG; LaDivaLoca; Kathy in Alaska
Ping....
8
posted on
04/01/2004 3:34:19 PM PST
by
HiJinx
(Donate by the month...it's easy, painless, and makes you feel oh so good!)
To: rageaholic
Its amaturish work anyway, I hope it ends up in a basement storeroom at Ft Hood.That's a pretty nasty comment! I suppose you could do better.....
To: rageaholic
WTF?
10
posted on
04/01/2004 3:43:39 PM PST
by
JOE6PAK
("The difference between stupidity and genius is that genius has its limits." - Albert Einstein)
To: rageaholic
Its amaturish work anyway,
What's the link to your website so we can compare this 'amaturish work' with your professional works--and judge your work against his?
11
posted on
04/01/2004 3:44:05 PM PST
by
TomGuy
(Clintonites have such good hind-sight because they had their heads up their hind-ends 8 years.)
To: rageaholic
Because if it were left standing unguarded in iraq, the local trash would immediately deface it. Its amaturish work anyway, I hope it ends up in a basement storeroom at Ft Hood.
I can't understand your attitude about this. This is a very kind and inspiring work of art. Are you just trying to make people angry?
12
posted on
04/01/2004 3:44:57 PM PST
by
Codeflier
(Implement Loser Pays)
To: TomGuy
I saw his page. LOL
13
posted on
04/01/2004 3:47:43 PM PST
by
ßuddaßudd
(beware of 6/11/04 imho)
To: rageaholic
I suppose all your artwork is in the Museum of Art,or better yet in The Louvre.
14
posted on
04/01/2004 3:47:47 PM PST
by
samantha
(Don't panic, the adults are in charge)
To: 2nd amendment mama
That's a pretty nasty comment! I suppose you could do better..... Yes, I could indeed make a much nastier comment.
To: samantha
Don't take the bait. Probably will be portrayed as John Kerry's new foyer -- it will be on the mainstream media as such in a few weeks when they have time to study the effect on normal Americans.
16
posted on
04/01/2004 3:55:49 PM PST
by
LurkedLongEnough
(Bush '04 --- in a F'n landslide.)
To: rageaholic
Because if it were left standing unguarded in Iraq, the local trash would immediately deface it. Its amateurish work anyway, I hope it ends up in a basement storeroom at Ft Hood. Unlike you, I hope this statue is displayed for all to see.It shows the sacrifice our servicemen have made and the appreciation of the artist for that sacrifice.
17
posted on
04/01/2004 3:58:43 PM PST
by
tapatio
(Cruelty and fear shake hands together.)
To: tapatio
the appreciation of the artist for that sacrifice Yeah one clown makes a statue from crumpled tinfoil and all you bleeding hearts shed a tear for our new friends the iraqis, meanwhile a mob is dragging decapitated charred bodies of Americans through the streets. Makes me sick.
To: rageaholic
Iraqis are not all of one mind, sir. I believe you are painting with a broad brush. Obviously, the artist here demonstrates much good will. Would it hurt you to do the same?
To: ovrtaxt
I think it's great. But I think it should stay in Iraq. I think they should put in in that town square in Bagdag where Saddam's statue.
20
posted on
04/01/2004 4:52:49 PM PST
by
DannyTN
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