LIFE & TRENDS


‘A Soldier’s Journey’ Nears Its Destination


Memorial to World War I heroes ready to take its place in Washington, D.C. :: BY MARISA HERMAN


A HOWARD


s he puts the finishing touches on the final 11 of 38 bronze figures that will soon tell the captivating


story of a World War I hero’s journey, master sculptor Sabin Howard can feel his purpose of giving to a “construction” amid so much “destruction.” When the massive


memorial — 58 feet long, 10 feet wide, and


weighing 25 tons — makes it debut as the sun sets at 7:19 p.m. on Sept. 13 in Pershing Park, Washington, D.C., visitors will go through five distinct scenes that follow a soldier’s journey. Before the artwork’s frieze —


which narrates a man who leaves his family behind, joins his brothers in arms, charges into battle, sees the horrific costs of war, and returns


72 NEWSMAX MAXLIFE | AUGUST 2024


home, where he hands his helmet to his child — can be assembled on site, the pieces will go on their own three-week adventure across the Atlantic Ocean. That’s because Howard has spent


the last several months working at a foundry in the United Kingdom that specializes in bronze sculptures. Long before the people in the


scenes were cast — literally — Howard cast actual veterans to pose as models. He snapped upward of 12,000 photographs of live models in various poses in “burst mode” on his iPhone. After spending hours with the


veterans who helped inspire the piece of art and seeing what he calls a “movie in bronze” come to life, he feels like he has a “very important purpose.” “This is a really good thing,” he


said of the piece. “It gives back to the people.” As monuments and memorials


have been desecrated nationwide, Howard fears that American history is being destroyed as people try to “redefine what it is.” In delivering what will serve


as a memorial for the 4.7 million Americans who served in WWI and the 116,516 who died in battle, Howard said he is all about creating a piece dedicated to “unifying our country.” He points out that the women,


children, and soldiers featured on the memorial are “all American” and represent “who we are.” “Culture is the umbrella that holds


this country together,” he said. “I am really proud I made something for the history of this country.” He spent 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. in his


Englewood, New Jersey, studio sculpting with clay and tools of yesteryear for months before the casting and assembling process began. Once the final pieces arrive, a


crane will help place them and the figures will be attached to the stone in the park.


COURTESY OF SABIN HOWARD


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