Living Memorial Sculpture Garden

Living Memorial Sculpture Garden

Dedicated to all Veterans

The Living Memorial Sculpture Garden is located on Hwy 97, one mile north of A12 (west side) in Siskiyou County, California.

Photos by Frank Magallanes and Carla Fisher
Web page design: Frank Magallanes, with a special thank you to ReEtta Coble

173rd Airborne Brigade (Separate) LZ English, Republic of Vietnam. 173rd Support Battalion Unit Crest

Airborne Glider Patch. http://www.military-graphics.com

Frank Magallanes served with the 173rd Airborne Brigade (1970-1971) Republic of Vietnam. This page is dedicated to all those brave men & women who served, lost their lives for freedom. And for all those that still survive

To one of my best friend in high school and fellow sky soldier, may you rest in peace in God's hands.

About The Sculptures

Dennis Smith, Artist LMSG:

Each sculptures has personal meaning for me in terms of life experience and personal incidents. Everyone who has experienced war seems to have a place in their collective heart which is malfunctioning. Maybe what we should do is find that place in the heart and have it surgically removed. Through the arts we have the means to peacefully consider violence and to ask questions as well as offer possible solutions.

I don't think the purpose of art is to entertain, but to uplift, edify, and educate. After seeing "Bill" and Ted's Excellent Adventure," I believe the fate of the world might ultimately have to do with what happens in our history classes. Maybe our world leaders should start asking the young people what sort of world they want.

Here is some background information concerning the art in the Living Memorial Sculpture Garden

THE REFUGEES

I stood beside the road at KHE SANH as the BRU Tribesmen were herded through the base and onto route nine to fend for themselves. Our leaders had promised them protection; They were our allies and we let them down. A large pecent of these people-- men, women, children, the old, and the very young-- never made it past the N.V.A. I was also thinking of the Kurdish people during the Gulf War, and the treatment of the native American in "The Long Walk" or "Trail of Tears."

"The Refugees" is about all people down through time who have been displaced, driven from one place to another, for whatever reason. This type of thing happens a lot. It is one of the side effects of war.

THE WHY GROUP

After all the deeds are done and the soldier goes back home, sits alone in front of a warm fire on a cold night having time to think his own thoughts, he may ask himself a few questions. "Why me?" "Why not me?" "why him and not me?" "Why war?" "why not war?" The WHY questions are endless.

THE GREATEST GENERATION

POW-MIA

This statue is for all those who have been wrongfully locked up. Imagine confinement, mosquitoes, leeches, rats, rotten rice, rotten fish, abusive guards, and little chance of survival. Hope is reaching for the will to "Hang On!"

THE FLUTE PLAYER

For me a flute symbolizes peace and tranquility. The female figures are in attitudes which show the freedom that peace can bring. The reclining figure is my way of saying, "Relax, but remain vigilant."

THOSE LEFT BEHIND

Who can repay those who have lost loved ones in combat? What on this earth can compensate for the loss of life? The American Flag symbolized many things-- none more poignantly than this final gesture.

THE PEACEFUL WARRIOR

There must be those who, loving peace, will fight against aggression to preserve that peace. There is no contradiction in this. As long as such warriors are needed "The Peaceful Warrior" honors those who step forward when asked to do so.

THE KOREAN WAR VETERAN MONUMENT

While Vietnam Memorials were popping up like mushrooms in the mountains after an August thunderstorm, who remembered the Korean Vets? We did.

This one's for you, my spiritual UNCLES-SEMPER FI!

THE NURSES

God love them.....They saved a lot of lives!

COMING HOME

There are some things about which one should either say a great deal, or nothing at all. "Coming Home" is very special to me, and I can speak a great deal about it. It is not uncommon for Veterans to feel a lot of emotional pain upon returning home. In this regard I am no different from any other retired warrior. I feel more fortunate than most because sculpture is a positive way for me to deal with this pain. Being a part of the LMSG gave me an opportunity to speak in a good way. I feel as if this expression is a giant leap forward in the process of "repairing my soul."

HOT LZ MEMORIAL WALL

Design by J.D. Leach/Sculpture by Dennis Smith

To access the list of names go to the official LMSG link by clicking here.

ABOUT THE SCULPTOR

This sculpture was brought to life by the dreams of Jim Leach and the gifted hands of Dennis Smith. The "Hot LZ Memorial Wall" figures take on different personal meaning for each individual touched by war. As a helicopter pilot during the Vietnam War Jim Leach will always remember the "Hot LZ's." The "Memorial Wall" is graced by "HOT LZ" and one of our best pilots, Ace Cozalio. It is a place for remembering the 2,188 helicopter pilots who died in Vietnam. They will never be forgotten. All veterans will be honored to have their name placed on this wall. Please contact: LMSG, P.O. Box 301, Weed, CA 96094 or call (530) 938-2218 or (530) 842-2477 for further information.

DIRECTIONS

The Living Memorial Sculpture Garden is located on Hwy 97, one mile north of A12 (west side) in Siskiyou County, California.

MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION INFORMATION

ADOBE READER REQUIRED

.PDF

Or click here to print out form and mail.

Please send a check/money order to:

LMSG, P.O. Box 301, Weed, CA 96094 or call (530) 938-2218 or (530) 842-2477

MEMORIAL WALL APPLICATION

For the Log:

Attach a short service history and a copy of DD214 (The Official Military Discharge Paper), if available. Include a check/money order for $100 and return to the address here:

Please contact: LMSG, P.O. Box 301, Weed, CA 96094 or call (530) 938-2218 or (530) 842-2477 for information.

DISCLAIMER: The creator of this web site (Frank Magallanes) is not affiliated with the Living Memorial Sculpture Garden. This web site was created by Frank to honor the men (Jim Leach and the gifted hands of Dennis Smith) who created the sculptures. And to the men/women who served in our Nation's battles. A labor of love to them all. Comments and questions about this web site design should be directed to Frank Magallanes.

USEFUL LINKS FOR VETERANS

	U. S. Department of Veterans Affairs	VA Health Care Benefits
Firebase Phu Loi - Cam Rahn Bay		Visit the official LMSG web site.

A special thank you to Karen A. Dean (Portland) for her input and help.

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