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

[wingster]

Hey rageboy,

Where's your labor of love for the American soldiers who lost thier lives? Huh tough guy!

I'm sure you would have been full of praise if some American had made it, eh!

[texasflower]

Hey John, I took a look at your web page. Now I understand.

[ovrtaxt]

Hey, PB! Have you been away for awhile? I haven't run across your posts in like forever.

Check my links page, specifically the one about the flamers, for a blast from the past. It's my all time favorite thread, started by you. :)

[ovrtaxt]

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

[kcvl]

Iraqi sculptor Kalat examines the statue of an American Soldier made from melting down bronze statues of Saddam Hussein.

Changing faces: statue honors fallen heroes

[rageaholic]

I'm sure you would have been full of praise if some American had made it, eh!

No, I would not. I repeat, this is insipid, amaturish work expressing cheap hallmark card sentimentality. Its the sort of thing that appeals to the same dimwits who buy oil paintings of crying clowns and crystal unicorns.

This crummy sculpture should be booby trapped and left in Falluja for the vandals.

[rageaholic]

keep 'em in your bedroom on your lace trimmed pink pillows, pal.

[John Frum]

Whoop de doo you saw my 'webpage'. Big deal.

[John Frum]

My sense of humor is not subject to evaluation.

[Skip Ripley]

Your website and comments here suggest that you are some type of Wally George wannabe or a mental patient.

I suppose you could be both...

[texasflower]

It's past your bedtime.

[rageaholic]

I can't be a Wally George wanna be, because I do not know who Wally George is, nor do I care.

Apparently you are insecure and feel the need to level personal attacks at anybody who doesn't share your proletarian taste in tacky-ass Precious Moments type kitsch.

I see why you go by the disrespect-engendering kid's nickname Skip. As your name suggests, I'll disregard you. Goodbye Skip.

[John Frum]

If that's the best retort you've got, that's pretty much sad. My 8 year old cousin could come up with a better one liner than that.

[texasflower]

Listen, I think you and your friend rageaholic are very immature. It is my feeling that you two are not very old or experienced.

You don't have the maturity to talk to adults. I would love it if you would just leave me alone.

[rageaholic]

huh huh huh huh huh huh huh huh huh she said "experienced" huh huh huh huh huh huh huh huh huh then she said "adult" huh huh huh huh huh huh huh huh huh huh huh huh huh huh huh huh huh huh

[rageaholic]

lame

[rageaholic]

This just goes to show you the type of hyper-emotional, primitive people who find tasteless knick-knacks appealing.

[John Frum]

Yes, it truely boggles the mind the kind of primeval and rudimentary mentalities who believe claymation of this low-caste caliber has a value beyond its raw smelted scrap value. But then again, what else can you expect from opprobrious reprobates such as these? Nothing but continued offal, detritus and dross.

[Freedom2specul8]

The guy goes from being a slave to one of the most sickest families in history..to honoring freedom fighters...



and there you are--with your gijoes on yer home page.

Maybe you need to grow up a little bit.