Veterans Memorial Planned

Cadet members of the Arnold Air Society have undertaken an ambitious project to acknowledge and recognize military veterans. Their intent is to install a veterans memorial on the campus of Utah State University. The project has been under way for the past year, and a target completion date has been set for November, said cadet Bradley Bingham.


"We hope to have this memorial completed by Veteran's Day 2003," Bingham said. "And while the memorial is located on the Utah State campus, this isn't just a university memorial — it's for the entire community."

A memorial that recognizes the contributions made by veterans to the country is planned, cadet Michael B. Watts said. The memorial will be placed just south of the Dee Glen Smith Spectrum on campus and features a simple design. The center portion of the memorial is a depiction of those in the military — from the doughboy to contemporary combat men and women. Side panels incorporate the official seal of each military branch. A curved path and walkway, including benches and a flagpole, complete the design.

This has exclusively been a student project, Bingham emphasized.

"About a year ago the Arnold Air Society group got together and decided there was a need to recognize veterans," Bingham said. "We talked to several people and found that the university was interested, and we've been putting this together ever since."

The student group went to the planning office on campus and has worked with the appropriate committees to complete the approval process. The organizers have hired a landscape architect to complete the plans, working with Nathan Tueller of Green Leaf Landscaping in Brigham City.

Now the cadets are kicking off a fundraising campaign. The group has raised $2,300 toward the $40,000 goal and is inviting those interested to make a donation.

"We will be more than willing to visit groups, clubs or businesses to explain this project," Bingham said. "We can do a flag ceremony for groups, and we have a 25-minute slide show explaining the project. Anyone can donate at any level."

Bingham said donations can be made in memory of someone who served in the military. Those making contributions of $500 or more will have their names engraved on the memorial.

Additional fundraising activities include a movie night in April. Plans include a guest speaker, a presentation about the memorial and a military-themed film. Veterans groups will be invited as well as members of the public. Proceeds from ticket sales will go to the memorial and additional donations are welcome.

"We attended a dinner with members of the American Legion, and they were excited by our project," Bingham said. "That group, with the help of Dr. George Emert, kicked off our fundraising efforts. We realized how important this kind of recognition is to them and how important our veterans are. We need to make sure they get the recognition they deserve."

While both students are cadets in the Air Force ROTC program at Utah State, they emphasize the project is entirely operated by the Arnold Air Society. The group is a national organization that recognizes veterans, POWs and MIAs and completes service projects throughout the community. The local chapter is the John K. Cannon Squadron.

"This project started as an idea with just a few people, but it has grown into a project for the entire attachment," Bingham said. "We've learned a lot about the community and its veterans. They've done so much for us, and we want to acknowledge that contribution."

Bingham and Watts said other fundraising efforts are planned. In addition to the various planned activities, donations can be mailed to: USU Veterans Memorial Fund, Utah State University, Old Main Hill 0700, Logan, UT 84322-0700.

Anyone interested in the project or in making a donation can also contact Bingham at (435) 797-6231 or via email at bbingham@cc.usu.edu or cadet Watts at (435) 797-6282 and watts@cc.usu.edu.

Contact: Cadet Bradley Bingham (435) 797-6231 [bbingham@cc.usu.edu]
Cadet Michael B. Watts (435) 797-6282 [watts@cc.usu.edu]
Air Force ROTC office (435) 797-8723
Writer: Patrick Williams (435) 797-1354