Air Force Memorial progress 'wows' Airmen

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman J.G. Buzanowski
  • Air Force Print News
WASHINGTON (AFPN) --  When Staff Sgt. Paula Newman stood at the base of the Air Force Memorial, all she could say was, “Wow!” Senior Airman Henry Hargrove said it “pretty much rocks.”

The two 11th Logistics Readiness Squadron Airmen from Bolling Air Force Base in Washington, D.C., were selected to visit the memorial and receive a tour from the president of the Air Force Memorial Foundation, retired Air Force Maj. Gen. Edward F. Grillo Jr.

“It’s fantastic to see their enthusiasm,” General Grillo said. “I never get tired of seeing people’s eyes light up when they see it, and once it’s done, we’re going to see a lot of that.”

The target completion date for the Air Force Memorial is Oct.14. Originally, the memorial was going to be built on Arlington Ridge, near the Marine Corps Memorial. Instead, it is located across from the Pentagon, next to Arlington National Cemetery, General Grillo said.

“It’s obvious a lot of work went into our memorial with all its symbolism and details,” Sergeant Newman said. “It looks over the nation’s capital and reminds people that the Air Force is up there. It gives me a sense of pride.”

The two Bolling AFB Airmen toured the site and climbed up the temporary scaffolding to look at the city from the memorial’s point of view.

“It’s great that we finally have our memorial,” Airman Hargrove said. “Every other service has one around Washington, D.C.; it’s about time we have ours.”

The memorial represents several sets of threes within the Air Force, General Grillo said.

“The Air Force has its three core values,” he said. In addition, there are the active duty, Guard and Reserve. There are also the Airmen, their families and retirees. All of these culminate in three curving spires that rise up to overlook the Pentagon.

Once completed, the spires will be 270, 230 and 200 feet tall. What will be the tallest spire currently measures out at 170 feet, with 100 more feet to go, General Grillo said.

With the site tour complete, the group was left amazed at what will be a lasting reminder to the nation of the sacrifices made by Airmen of yesterday, today and tomorrow.

“The memorial is an enduring symbol for the Air Force,” General Grillo said. “It stands for those who gave their lives for freedom, and honors every Airman. When the memorial opens up in October, (visitors are) invited to come here and pay their respects.”

For more information about the Air Force Memorial, visit www.airforcememorial.org.