Statue of the American Soldier in Iraq

www.usstopekaclg8.org ^ | 4/1/04 | Bob Ohm

[ovrtaxt]

This picture of the statue was made by an Iraqi artist named Kalat, who for years was forced by Saddam Hussein to make the many hundreds of bronze busts of Saddam that dotted Baghdad. This artist was so grateful that the Americans liberated his country, he melted 3 of the fallen Saddam heads and made a memorial statue dedicated to the American soldiers and their fallen comrades. Kalat worked on this night and day for several months. To the left of the kneeling soldier is a small Iraqi girl giving the soldier comfort as he mourns the loss of his comrade in arms. It is currently on display outside the palace that is now home to the 4th Infantry division. It will eventually be shipped and shown at the memorial museum in Fort Hood, Texas.

Origins:   According to the Army News Service (ARNEWS), the text reproduced above is a relatively accurate description of the statue shown in the photograph accompanying it.

In July 2003, two statues of Saddam Hussein, which an Iraqi sculptor named Kalat had a hand in creating, were removed with explosives from outside a palace complex in Saddam's hometown of Tikrit, Iraq, where the U.S. Army's 4th Infantry Division headquarters group is located. The 555th Engineer Group cut up the bronze statues and shipped the pieces to Kalat, who using a photograph of 1st Sgt. Glen Simpson as a model spent several months fashioning them into a likeness of an American soldier kneeling to mourn a fallen comrade, while a young girl reaches out to comfort him in his time of grief.

According to ARNEWS:

The sculpture is based on a scene many in Iraq have witnessed in one form or another.

A Soldier kneels before a memorial of boots, rifle and helmet ? his forehead resting in the hollow of hiss hand. Behind and to his right stands a small Iraqi girl with her hand reaching out to touch his shoulder.

The statue evokes emotion. The girl was added to the statue to remind people of why the sacrifice was made, [Command Sgt. Maj. Chuck] Fuss said.

"It's about freedom for this country, but it's also about the children who will grow up in a free society," he said.

The statue will eventually be flown to the 4th Infantry Division museum at Fort Hood, Texas.

Submitted by Bob Ohm

[Warren_Piece]

Total lack of maturity.

[Travis McGee]

No, he was after my time, and on the west coast. I was aware of him from the movies, TV, and ads for his fitness videos. But to me he stands for every Navy SEAL, and that such a man should be so horribly desecrated.... Any man, of course. Every fallen soldier is a terrible loss. For some reason, this one hits me hard, he has a face to me. And look what those animals did....

[DannyTN]

"Except the Iraq you want it to stay in is imaginary."

It's not entirely imaginary. It was an iraqi who made the statue. A recent poll said 85% of people in Iraq didn't think the U.S. should pull out yet. It's only the 15% that would deface that statue. Granted that is too many and the danger exists that the Mullah's will convert some of the other 85% into good Muslims who hate the Jews and the west like the folks in Fallujah.

But if it's a battle for the hearts and minds of the Iraqi people then the statue should stay. Perhaps put it in a museum where it has protection and is not as easily defaced. But leave it there as a reminder of American sacrifice on their behalf. 85% will appreciate and understand it.

[rageaholic]

A recent poll said 85% of people in Iraq didn't think the U.S. should pull out yet.

Not because they appreciate what America has done for them, but because their own personal security rests on the same American soldiers they hate so much and these worthless, cowardly people can't police themselves without tribal warfare.

Sorry, but that sculpture is just a platitude expressing cheap card-shop sentiments and not even good art. It doesn't belong in Ft Hood, it belongs in Fajula rigged with an explosive booby trap.

[DannyTN]

LOL, well I think you may win the award for the most appropriate nick.

[rageaholic]

thankyou, thankyou! :)

[John Frum]

I won't comment on that crappy statue, tin foil is too kind a comment indeed.

[John Frum]

That is by far, a truly excellent bit of sculpture by a competent and talented artist.

[texasflower]

His little website is almost sad.

I can just see the poor little fellow sitting in his bedroom, posing his little doll so he can make his action hero webpage.

I think I should be nicer to the little guy. LOL!

[freedomson]

To a point I agree with you but, are you sure it's not the rageahol talkin'?

[rageaholic]

You'd "get" it, if you had a sense of humor.

[rageaholic]

Also, GI Joe is not a "little doll" but an action figure, duh!

[NewsJunqui]

Actually, If I remember correctly, in the Wall Street Journal a month or so ago they had an article where they said the artist hired only did it for the money and wasn't really in support of the US troops. Sorry, I don't have access to WSJ archives to quote.

[texasflower]

Sweetie, did you just get home from school? Go have a snack and a nap.

[ovrtaxt]

Here's a few friends for your website...

hehehehehe...

[John Frum]

Let me reiterate - the vietnam sculpture is very well executed, whereas that piece of garbage bagdurt one is like a bad bit of claymation. Lest anyone be confused about my previous posts...

[John Frum]

GI JOE kicks derrier and anyone who thinks otherwise can take a flying leap into the pond.

[Psycho_Bunny]

LOL, well I think you may win the award for the most appropriate nick.

?

I think you misread - it's not "Idioholic".

[John Frum]

Its obvious that you haven't a clue as to what's funny and what isn't. That website is by far, more original and more enticing than that bagdurt 'art' as you so call it. Personally I call that claymation garbage - I'd smelt it down into ordnance to use in attacks against the residents of Fallujah.

[John Frum]

GI joe would kick their rears back into the previous century.