Posted on 12/18/2004 9:47:57 AM PST by Ellesu
Each year, many families participate in a holiday tradition of creating dazzling Christmas light displays on their houses. Larry Hamilton has one you don't want to miss.
This year, standing with one giant boot on the garage and one boot on the edge of the paved street below, a 48-foot-tall replica of a U.S. soldier stands guard over Hamilton's Tower Park Marina home -- a tribute to the soldiers.
The father and son team of Tony, left, and Larry Hamilton, proudly stand in front of a 48-foot-tall lighted soldier replica moments after it was completed. The Hamiltons, along with the help of family, friends and volunteers, finished the soldier Sunday evening at Tower Park Marina in Lodi. (J. Paul Bruton/News-Sentinel) Using more than 4,000 feet of Christmas lights and made of shaped and welded rebar, the incredibly proportionate art piece stands in honor of American soldiers, past and present, and especially those that can't be home for the holidays this year due to the conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan.
While the making of the statue is a daunting, complex and time-consuming process involving dozens, Hamilton said the reason is quite basic.
"The story is simple. We did this to remind people of what our soldiers are doing for us," Hamilton said. "This show of support is nothing compared to what they're doing for us."
Hamilton, who owns A.L.L. Save Construction Company in Walnut Grove, likes to put his talents into an artistic format now and then.
After the Sept. 11 tragedy, Hamilton felt compelled to send a message of hope to people, so he and his son Tony -- and a slew of friends, neighbors and volunteers -- built a 40-foot-tall Statue of Liberty.
The statue, strung with thousands of Christmas lights, was easily visible from Highway 12, and eventually caused a fairly steady flow of traffic into the Tower Park community.
After taking a year off from statue building, Larry Hamilton once again felt like he should offer another message of hope and peace to the community. Hamilton also said that he felt like Christmas had become far too commercialized and that people had forgotten what the season was all about.
Larry Hamilton, standing in the left side of the lift, carefully maneuvers behind the just raised 48-foot-tall soldier to add finishing touches. The soldier was built by Larry and his son Tony Hamilton, as well as many volunteers, in order to commemorate all American soldiers, especially those soldiers who can't be home for the holidays. (J. Paul Bruton/News-Sentinel) So, the Hamilton family again recruited anyone willing to participate, and they built a 52-foot-high lighted replica of Jesus.
One neighbor, Laura Anderson, said the timing of Hamilton building his Jesus statue couldn't have been better for her, and it helped her to get through the holiday season.
"Last year, our store burned down on December 6th. It was amazing to come home to Jesus every night. It really helped me make it through Christmas," Anderson said.
While reporters from four newspapers and camera crews from two TV news stations scampered about with pads, pens and cameras, dozens of onlookers sat in chairs or stood nearby, intently watching the statue being raised.
"Larry gets these visions in his head," said neighbor Pepper Wilson. "Then, he just has to create them. He's amazing."
Another neighbor stood at a distance by himself, grinning as the soldier was being hoisted into place by a crane volunteered by Ira's Crane Service. Octavio Solis has been a resident for only two years, he said, but has been there for both the Jesus and the soldier display.
Larry Hamilton watches as Ira's Crane Service lifts a 48 foot tall soldier replica into place Sunday at Tower Park Marina in Lodi. (J. Paul Bruton/News-Sentinel) "I was only able to help them work on it one night -- but I brought seven people," he said with a big smile.
As the soldier statue was nearly complete and set in place, Tony Hamilton shook his head and sighed.
"It's incredible. The amount of people who have helped with this, the time put in, the donations," he said. "We've put in some really long hours the last few nights to make it happen, but ... it's incredible to see this tribute to the troops taking shape."
Meanwhile, as the last of the lights flickered on, drawing applause from those gathered, Larry's wife Laura Hamilton moved from person to person greeting all who came by. She happily engaged in helping to make the event a festive occasion.
When asked if the neighbors ever get upset at the circus-like atmosphere created by the super-sized Christmas displays, she looked around and laughed.
"The neighbors are all here," she said with a big smile.
Wow, awesome pic. Click the link, FReepers!
Wonder if the guy could add a red strobe for muzzle flash?
Wonder if the guy could add a red strobe for muzzle flash?
Sorry about the double post, guess my mouse went full-auto just thinking about it.
Thanks, I don't know how to post a picture. I tried copy/paste but it didn't work.
No problem. I'm always happy to post photos when someone can't. Thanks for posting the story.
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