Gary Alsum and the National Sculptors' Guild were selected by the University of Central Oklahoma to create a Veteran's Memorial for their Edmond, Oklahoma campus. The composition is titled "Tried and True" 
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The desire of the committee was to honor two individuals as a memorial - one depicted as a soldier and one as a student - who were close to the UCO family and by extension represent all others who have served to defend our liberties.

Gary chose to depict the two soldiers, back to back. One in full combat uniform, the other dressed for class. Minimizing space between the figures creates a single form. Symbolically, this depiction shows how the soldiers rely on one another as they literally have each other’s back – in service, or in civilian life; they stand together in a life-long connection.

​This camaraderie extends to the family of Veterans which can be felt through this composition as well. It can connect with relatives, friends, and fellow service people, creating a space for reflection from any path of life.

The clay enlargement is shown here, the sculpture will be placed as soon as it is cast in bronze.

Update 11/10/18: The dedication of SALUTE by Clay Enoch and the National Sculptors' Guild was powerful and we are so grateful to have been involved in honoring our Veterans with this monument. #WeSaluteYou

Update 11/3/18: ​We had to fly back to Colorado - but SALUTE is on track for completion next week, and Clay will return for the dedication of SALUTE by Clay Enoch and the National Sculptors' Guild next Saturday as part of the OrthoIndy Y Veteran's Day Celebrations. 

With all our respect and admiration to Veteran's everywhere, We Salute You!

Update 10/30/18: Clay Enoch and the National Sculptors' Guild are in Indianapolis all week to install and finish "Salute" at the OrthoIndy Foundation YMCA at Pike

Lots happened on-site for this project - the cast aluminum is attached to the wall, then foam is added to complete the figures, Clay sculpts this foam then stucco is smoothed over all but the aluminum to harmonize the sculpture and wall of the monument. Stainless Steel plaques will then be attached to the wall to house the dog tags honoring Veteran's. (Veterans’ names will be added to the sculpture with a donation of $100 at YLovesVets.org) Special thanks to all our subs, certainly a team effort on this one. 

Update 10/23/18: The aluminum castings are being chased in Loveland, CO this week, Clay is up from Colorado Springs to finish strong. We load the truck Friday.

Update 9/14/18: We just got news from Indianapolis that the walls are poured! It's coming together now.

Update 8/8/18: Clay has been hard at work sculpting the final portraits representing the five branches. two will be sculpted in the wax stage prior to casting. The objective was to create racially ambiguous male and female portraits for optimum inclusiveness of all service men and women. 

Update 7/12/18: Lots of schematics over the past year for this complex project since half will be sculpted on site involving multiple subcontractors. All of whom have been great to work with. 

Update 5/14/18: The figure portion with sculpted saluting arm has been completed, ready to mold and cast.

Update 9/18/17: Several months of designing and redesigning; working with the committee to establish several key elements including scale, depicting men/women which branch is placed where. The NSG and OrthoIndy have done our best to make this a monument every Veteran may be proud of.

“The sculpture will appeal to people of all walks of life and every generation,” said Aasif Bade, chair for the Pike Capital Campaign to build the new YMCA. “Salute will be a great place to gather and pay tribute to our veterans.”

7/5/17: We are honored to be selected for this project. Clay Enoch and the National Sculptors' Guild will be installing "Salute" at the OrthoIndy Y next year. Follow this post for updates as the project develops.

Designed with a universal approach and appeal it is our intention that people of all walks of life and every generation will be able to step into the art statement and bring their story to the piece. Whether they be a veteran and feel the strength of the collective salute, or they know a veteran and can show their reverence and gratitude for those who have served.

The design complements the architecture for continuity. Two serpentine walls fill the site forming an open ellipse. The walls graduate in height toward the center. At these highest points the silhouette of figures crest the wall drawing attention to the center area where the plaques honoring veterans are discovered next to five saluting figures. The shape of the walls creates an intimate, protected space for individuals or small groups to gather and pay tribute with quiet contemplation.

Emerging from the inner curve are five figures, each rising stoically in the line, bringing solidity and strength to the wall. Employing the figure as a stylized architectural element allows it to have universal appeal and convey strong emotion without extraneous detail.

The figures stand shoulder to shoulder, saluting each other to demonstrate the strength and camaraderie of all Veterans of the Armed Forces. Each branch is defined through the uniquely sculpted hat, depicting the Air Force, Army, Coast Guard, Marine Corps and Navy. We wish to work with the committee to best select the most distinctive hat for each branch so that it is an immediate and relatable image. A simple distinguishing insignia or patch may be included for further clarity. To the right of the figures are plaques engraved with the names of the Veteran's honored by the OrthoIndy Foundation.

The choice of materials has structural purpose, as well as symbolic significance, to emphasize the overall message of honoring Veteran’s services and the YMCA’s mission to help soldiers adjust to re-entering civilian life. This mission is emphasized in the change in material within the figure, from cast aluminum to modeled stucco symbolizing a veteran’s transition from service to civilian life while acknowledging that the uniform will indefinitely be a part of their life. 

​Aluminum has been a significant metal utilized within the military since WWII when the use of America’s supply of bauxite for metal production soared for aircraft frames, ship infrastructure, radar chaff and millions of mess kits. The saluting arm side of the uniform and head will be cast in aluminum. The rest of the figure emerges from an earthy material (sand being the primary makeup of stucco) to show that all service men and women are connected to the soil they protect.

Clay Enoch and the National Sculptors' Guild ​

Weighing in at an impressive 10,000 lbs the National Sculptors' Guild just set this granite obelisk for the DeSoto, Texas Military Memorial located at the Historic Nance Farm. JK Designs' John Kinkade also designed an ornamental knot garden and pedestrian walk to adorn the 7ft tall monument creating a new site for community memorial gatherings and personal reflections. #DesotoTexas #MilitaryMemorial

"Honor" by Gary Alsum, National Sculptors'  Guild 346
One of the first sights you will see when you turn onto Main Street from Highway 49 is the Veterans Memorial Park of Rector. A life-size bronze sculpture of a World War II soldier stands at-rest atop a native Arkansas boulder in the center. Created by Artist/Sculptor Gary Alum, the soldier is a stunning tribute to every man and woman who has served or is serving in any branch of the United States Armed Service.
Presiding over the park flies the flag of the United States of America; stretching outward in an arc flies the Arkansas flag, the Rector flag and the flags of each branch of the U.S. Armed Forces, Army, Navy, Marines, Air Force and Coast Guard. You will also see the POW/MIA flag included in the array.
Wide walkways and beautifully maintained landscaping present a welcoming invitation to stroll through the grounds and visit the memorial granite pavers that line the walkways honoring local men and women who have served. The visitor center and park headquarters, formerly the old jail/water office sets at the north end of the park. A founders’ wall stands on either side of the statue to recognize those individuals and organizations who made substantial contributions to the development of the Veterans Memorial Park.
Dedicated in 2011 the park is the product of a collaborative effort of the Veterans Memorial Park Association and the City of Rector Downtown Central, Inc. The land for the park was given to the City of Rector Downtown Central by Mrs. Pauline Crockett, Sherland and Barbara Hamilton, George Jernigan and Robert Jernigan.
Ongoing support for the park is provided by the Veterans Memorial Park Association in partnership with the City of Rector Downtown Central, a Main Street Arkansas program of the Department of Arkansas Heritage.