July 26, 2012

Legion unveils sculpture honoring fallen heroes

By The American Legion
Commander
Legion unveils sculpture honoring fallen heroes
National Commander Fang Wong greets famed New York sculptor Greg Wyatt at The American Legion's Washington, D.C., office. Wyatt unveiled a statue that will be displayed in the lobby of the D.C. offices until it moves to a permanent home.

Statue by famed sculptor Greg Wyatt finds temporary quarters at Legion’s D.C. office.

A work by famed New York sculptor Greg Wyatt was unveiled in a July 25 ceremony at The American Legion’s Washington, D.C., office. The 7-foot tall cast bronze statue, "Angel and the Dying Unknown," was created as a tribute to the sacrifices of America’s fallen warriors. The sculpture depicts a guardian angel cradling a dying unknown soldier.

The unveiling was officiated by the artist and American Legion National Commander Fang Wong who said, in part, "I feel humbled not just by the fame and skill of the artist, but by his subject. I think this beautiful work pays tribute not only to the unknowns who have sacrificed anonymously in battle, but to all of those whose names are known, whether their souls were lifted from a battlefield, or from a bed decades after their war."

Wyatt then thanked Wong for his "moving words" and told those attending the ceremony of the sculpture’s history and role as one of four such tributes to service he had created.

Wyatt’s sculpture is to be displayed in the D.C. office lobby for the summer. The Legion is working to establish a permanent place for the sculpture at Dover Air Force Base, the home of the U.S. Air Force Mortuary Affairs Operations Center, and the homecoming station for the men and women lost in service in Europe and Southwest Asia.

  • Commander