Central Command Memorial Statue Replica
» Central Command Memorial Statue Replica
from sculptor Scott Stearman
Est. Value - $300
US Central Command Memorial Sculture Model
This is an item we are particularly pleased and honored to offer for this auction. An extremely rare non-production piece, few of us will ever get another opportunity to own one of these replicas. (Please note, the photos in this story are of the actual memorial statue. The model is approximately one foot tall)
About the Memorial and Sculpture
Sculptor Scott Stearman was commissioned to create a sculpture by the United States Central Command Memorial Foundation. The United States Central Command (US CENTCOM), located in Tampa Florida, is the unit of the U.S. armed forces responsible for combined military operations in the Middle East. CENTCOM has been the main American presence in the Gulf War, the United States war in Afghanistan, and the Iraq War.
In 2001, US CENTCOM was approached by the Memorial Foundation to discuss the possibility of building a Memorial to honor the men and women who served in USCENTCOM. The project was approved, and Scott Stearman was selected by the board to design and create the sculpture for the memorial.
About the Model
As an artist well known for his military themed work and an avid motorcyclist, Scott was initially approached to be a speaker at the Liberty Luncheon during our Northside Ride event. A prior committment prevented him from accepting, but he graciously offered to donate one of his works for the auction. After careful consideration, this was the item he chose.
This is not a production replica that can be purchased in a store - now or later. Standing a little over a foot tall, it is a detailed model that Scott used to demonstrate to viewers what the final work will look like. The actual sculpture is now on its way to Florida, and Scott took this very personal piece off his workshop shelf and offered it as a benefit for David Hall.
Though lacking some of the details of the finished memorial, this collector's item will be cherished by the individual or group that purchases it at our auction.
It is signed by the sculptor (the photograph really does not do this justice), and has a plaque attached reading:
CENTCOM MEMORIAL
"To honor the men and women of the United States who served the cause of peace and freedom in the central region."
UNITED STATES CENTRAL COMMAND
Details of the Memorial from Scott Stearman
The story behind the sculpture is compelling and powerful in its own right, and bears telling here. This is in Scott's own words:
Two soldiers from Fort Carson in Colorado Springs were the models for this sculpture.
The figure of the male soldier (SPC Ontario Washington) is presented as a combat troop.
I wanted to create an image that reflects the soldier as if he has just returned from a patrol…like he’s been walking the streets of Baghdad and came directly to the memorial to honor his friends.
Here are some of the details: The soles of his boots are worn. These are literally “boots on the ground”. His Camelback is empty…he has spent himself today in his duty .
One dog tag is visible in the laces of his left boot. He holds his gloves in a clinched fist of resolve. His watch on his vest is upside down to the observer, but correct for him. The time on his watch is set to 9:11.
His right shoulder is clear of gear to not interfere with his rifle aim. His weapons are an M4 Carbine and an M9 Beretta. He wears one knee pad on his right knee. He wears a wedding ring…he has a family. His eyes are fixed on the wall. The legs of his BDU's are not tucked into his boots for ventilation in the hot air….not militarily correct…but it’s accurate.
Many visitors to my studio have asked, “Why is the flag patch backwards?” Most people expect the flag to be presented with the star field on the left. On the right shoulder of the sculpture, the stars are on the right
As it is presented on the sculpture, it is militarily correct. My answer is, “Stars forward…always advancing, never retreating.” The hands of Washington are sculpted around life casts of CWO Ken Umbwest, 10 th Special Forces-Airborne. He has seen duty in Afghanistan and Iraq.
Sgt. Amy Perkins is presented as a support troop. She has done two tours in Iraq as an Arabic interpreter. She told me she is transferring out of the army and I asked her why. She said, “I have seven year-old twins and I have missed the last three birthdays. I don’t want to miss any more.” I told her that to honor her service I am placing images of her two twins in the lining of her helmet.
They will be visible as the inside of her helmet faces forward. She then got quiet, and thoughtful. “You’re doing a sculpture of me standing in front of this wall looking at the names…and my fiancé’s name will be on that wall.”
During her first tour in Iraq, Amy was attached to a special forces group and that’s where she met Aaron. She came home…he didn’t.
I met Amy after her first tour when we were taking reference photos for this project. Soon after this, she received the news about Aaron. After she told me their story, I told her that Aaron’s picture will be inside her helmet along with her kids.
It’s profoundly humbling to realize that a hundred years from now, her story will not be known to many, but we will have created an enduring image in bronze that says forever, “This soldier was a mom and she carried a weapon and she fulfilled her duty and she loved someone. These little details, along with the wedding ring on Washington, speak softly yet powerfully about the dads and moms, sons and daughters, and brothers and sisters who, as average Americans, become extraordinary when they take the oath, raise their weapon, and stare into the face of our enemies…so that we don’t have to.
This metal feather was taken from one of Saddam Hussien’s palaces after the liberation of Bagdad. It was a part of a crown on a huge portrait bust of Hussien. Central Command wanted it included in some way into the sculpture for the memorial. I placed the piece on the ground symbolizing the defeat of Saddam. It is near the sole of the soldier’s boot, an insult in Islam. The soldiers have turned their backs on it, symbolic of them moving beyond Saddam and on to the next phase of their duty.
In Conclusion
Words cannot express how excited and proud we are to be able offer this piece. Some individual or organization is going to have a collector's piece the will show honor and respect to our soldiers who have defended our country in the Middle East, and in the process will benefit a great local hero - David Hall.
