Excellent, ambitous masterpiece Sabin. Love the detail in this huge work of art. My grandfather ( mother's father ) fought in France during WW1. A Colour Sergeant by 1915, served with the King's Royal Rifles. He remained with the KRR after the war, was provided the opportunity to attend candidate officer school. Was promoted to the rank of Captain, Quartermaster of the 60th, by the time Britain entered WW2. A Major by 1943, died with the rank of Lt. Colonel. His son, my uncle, joined the 7th Gurkhas, was a paratrooper and Jump Master, held the rank of Captain, fought against Japanese forces in Burma toward the end of WW2. My father, Staff Sergeant, with the NMR, was serverely wounded during the first battle of El Alamein in North Africa. One of my sisters-in-law's father was a Spitfire pilot with the RAF and took part in the Battle of Britain. Another sister-in-law's father fought in the conflict and taken prisoner at Tobruk, a POW in Italy. He managed to escape. My father-in-law was a Navigator in a bomber crew, based in Egypt. I and four of my brothers also served in the Army and Airforce during the 60s, 70s and 80s. Your sculpting has special significance to me, studying it gets me all chocked up, the tears flow freely.
It's a great video where you can see an artist who pursues perfection in the overall composition, the emotional expression of the character, and the storytelling through a realistic miniature. You can't help but think about the cost from planning to production, but it makes me imagine the professional appearance of the organizers and producers.
My father fought in WWI, my brother in WWII, and he died at Utah Beach. Both were drafted and served in the German Army. When looking at this great WW I American memorial, truly a masterpiece, future generations will understand and experience the emotions thanks to the architecture and execution by Sabin Howard. As an American Immigrant, I had tears in my eyes when visiting the Vietnam Memorial. If I live long enough to see the completion of this masterpiece, I am absolute tears will flow again. This memorial not only honors the Americans who gave their lives but also will remind us of the human suffering any war brings to so many, regardless of which side they represented. I hope that 200 years from now, people will view this memorial and say: Never Again.
