rapidfire
M Retiree Spotlight
aj. Ed Jackson Jr., USA-Ret., Ph.D., is the executive architect for the Martin Luther King Jr. Na-
tional Memorial (
www.dedicatethedream .org), currently under construction in Wash- ington, D.C., and scheduled for dedi- cation Aug. 28. Jackson retired from the military in 1996, began work for an architectural fi rm in Northern Virginia, and was appointed to this post in 1997. How did you get started on this project? All we had was a piece of legislation with no money, no staff , and no design concept. The initial planning all had to happen at night and on the weekends, while we all worked other day jobs. What was the toughest chal- lenge? Finding the site … that took two years, but the location we found is magnifi cent. It’s on the Tidal Basin midway between the Lincoln and Jeff erson memorials, and with the cherry blossoms coming alive at the same time Dr. King was assas- sinated, this site allows us to even fur- ther celebrate his life.
What inspired the memorial concept? Our de- sign intent was to create a living memorial that would capture the essence of Dr. King’s message and image in granite. The design concept, derived from Dr. King’s “I Have a Dream” speech, brings form and substance to the notion “out of the mountain of despair, a stone of hope” and provides the sculptural centerpiece of the memorial. How did you select the message? We selected 14 quotes centered around four universal themes … justice, democracy, hope, and love. I personally feel that these quotes will speak not only to present but [also to] future genera- tions … raising the bar in terms of what America stands for and what America attempts to achieve. How has this project affected you personally? It's been an honor … a passionate undertaking … a work of love really. Looking back, it doesn’t feel like 14 years … it feels like just the other day.
— Bill Deegan DIGITAL EXCLUSIVE
Click here to watch a video showing what the new memorial will look like on the mall in Washington, D.C.
Attention! Check out these military-related entertainment offerings.
BOOK ACROSS THE AISLE: THE SEVEN- YEAR JOURNEY OF THE HISTORIC MONT- GOMERY GI BILL (University Press of Mis- sissippi/Mississippi State University, 2011) Using down-home humor, some 450 visuals, and debate
drawn from actual legisla- tive events, the words of the late Rep. G.V. “Sonny” Montgomery help readers relive the Montgomery GI Bill’s 1987 enactment.
BOOK THE MILITARY ADVANTAGE (Naval In- stitute Press, 2011) This
28 MILITARY OFFICER JULY 2011
guide gives up-to-date information on resources and benefits for military families. Find scholar- ships, family support pro- grams, wounded warrior resources, and more.
CD GI JAMS, VOL. 1: THE ORIGINAL MUSIC
OF OUR MILITARY ARTISTS (GI Jams, 2011) This compilation brings together 14 tracks by eight military artists and bands (five active duty service- members and three veter- ans) who rose to fame on military musicians’ web- site
www.gijams.com.
MO PHOTO: STEVE BARRETT
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