American’s freedom, sacrifices and responsibility remembered at Provo war memorial and statue unveiling
The Statue of Responsibility is unveiled during its unveiling ceremony and dedication of the new names on the war memorial in downtown Provo, on Monday, July 4, 2016. The ceremonies were part of the Freedom Festival activities. SAMMY JO HESTER, Daily Herald
Governor Gary Herbert places his hand on the statue during a ceremony to unveil the Statue of Responsibility and dedicate the new names on the war memorial in downtown Provo, on Monday, July 4, 2016. The ceremonies were part of the Freedom Festival activities. SAMMY JO HESTER, Daily Herald
New names are seen on a war memorial during a ceremony to unveil the Statue of Responsibility and dedicate the new names on the war memorial in downtown Provo, on Monday, July 4, 2016. The ceremonies were part of the Freedom Festival activities. SAMMY JO HESTER, Daily Herald
Gov. Gary Herbert listens during a ceremony to unveil the Statue of Responsibility and dedicate the new names on the war memorial in downtown Provo, on Monday, July 4, 2016. The ceremonies were part of the Freedom Festival activities. SAMMY JO HESTER, Daily Herald
An attendee places their hand on the statue during a ceremony to unveil the Statue of Responsibility and dedicate the new names on the war memorial in downtown Provo, on Monday, July 4, 2016. The ceremonies were part of the Freedom Festival activities. SAMMY JO HESTER, Daily Herald
Officials cheer during a ceremony to unveil the Statue of Responsibility and dedicate the new names on the war memorial in downtown Provo, on Monday, July 4, 2016. The ceremonies were part of the Freedom Festival activities. SAMMY JO HESTER, Daily Herald
Against the backdrop of shouts from the carnival and the festive spirit spilling from the Freedom Days street fair in downtown Provo on Monday, there was a short hour of solemnity.
A handful of people gathered to quietly celebrate the true reason behind all the festivities of the nation’s holiday. Mapleton sculptor Gary Lee Price, Gov. Gary R. Herbert, Utah County Commissioner Larry Ellertson, Provo Mayor John Curtis and others unveiled Price’s “Statue of Responsibility” replica that now adorns the northwest corner of the northwest corner of Utah County Planning and Zoning building.
Price’s statue is 6 feet tall and features two arms, with each hand clasping the opposite wrist, as if one is pulling the other skyward. Cast out of stainless steel, the structure permanently sits atop a 4-foot pedestal. It is a smaller replica of the 300-foot cast aluminum sculpture that Price and the Responsibility Foundation plan to place in a major West Coast city by 2020.
“It’s about people coming together, about people helping people,” Price said, fingering the small replica of the statue on his necklace.
In his remarks, Utah County Commissioner Bill Lee reminded those listening that it is fitting that the Statue of Responsibility be a bookend to the Statue of Liberty on the East Coast.
“Responsibility is the sister to liberty, and we have a responsibility to our fellow men. With liberty and responsibility, those two together give us the freedom we all now enjoy,” Lee said.
In conjunction with the unveiling, the group also held an emotional consecration of the nine names of Utah County residents who have been killed in war zones, adding them to the Utah County War Memorial. The memorial sits on the northeast side of the Utah County Planning and Zoning building, and includes names of all those Utah County military personnel who have given their lives in combat from World War I to the current war on terrorism.
Jim Towse, Elk Ridge father of Army combat medic Cody Towse who was killed in action in Afghanistan in 2013, thanked those gathered for remembering his son as he looked at Cody’s name etched on the slate. Jim Towse shared that before he shipped out, Cody Towse told his father that if he died in combat, it would be because he was trying to save another’s life — which is exactly how Cody died.
“He told me, ‘I’ll go out in a blaze of glory, so don’t cry for me.’ That was an agreement I couldn’t keep,” Jim Towse said, his voice cracking. “For those left behind, every day is a memorial day, for we have lost our tomorrows.”
The event honored all nine of those and their families who gave the ultimate sacrifice. Steve Haacke, survivor support coordinator read the names of those now set in stone: Cesar F. Machado-Olmos, William W. Jacobsen Jr., Nathan S Barnes, Jeffrey A. Ammon, Kimble A. Han, Carlos A. Aragon, Nigel K. Olsen, Matthew C. Wagstaff and Cody J. Towse.
“All these names on this memorial have given their ultimate sacrifice on our behalf by taking responsibility so that we can celebrate our freedom and liberties without fear of supreme rule,” said Randy Edwards of the American Legion Provo Post 13. “Many Americans do not have any idea what kind of burdens our military is bearing.”
The average citizen hasn’t been asked to sacrifice anything, he continued.
“The only people who have sacrificed are the veterans and their families who we honor today,” Edwards said.
Edwards and other speakers standing in the hot sun Monday encouraged those in attendance to remember the sacrifices all of our military personnel give — those who gave their lives, those who have given limbs, those who have lost relationships and parts of their souls — to preserve the freedom Americans celebrated this Independence Day.
“Though it’s been fun, a year from now I won’t remember the parade. But a year from now, two years from now, five years from now I’ll remember Cody,” Mayor Curtis said. “Please know we will remember those who served and their families. We will remember and we honor you.”