SERVICE TO COUNTRY AND OUR
BROTHERS IN ARMS
A SPECIAL WORD FOR DONALD T-RUMP
YOU DO NOT DESERVE TO WALK AMONGST HEROS,
YOU ARE NOTHING BUT A DRAFT DODGING LOSER
WHO DESECRATED AND DENIGRATED OUR HEROS AND
MAY GOD SEAL YOUR TRAITOROUS LIPS FOREVER
MEMORIALS DEDICATED TO OUR SOLDIERS
THE FORCE BEHIND THE FOUNDATION
RICHARD LEANDRI, ELLIE SCARFONE, ALAN JACOBSON, DAVID TROUP
and all of our Brothers in arms and Previous Supporters
My exposure to the Military added to my life cycle education, I got an “A “ in obscene verbiage, and techniques, clearances, tactical and technical nukes, radar and confidentialities, terrain reconditioning called bombing, and single finger gestures from the military, It broadened my repertoire, and my ability to interact with weapons of destruction. “ The bigly ones”. They were fun and scary…great skills but… thoughts of glowing in the dark haunt me…
Most of which did not help me, when I got out. But there were exceptions, like understanding command and control, leading rather than following, organizational planning, and I’m darn good with a rifle, pistol and shotgun, not that I was in law enforcement full time, we all were on a response team, but it had to do with rescues and getting shot down. I could have turned to Golf Course design, those bombs our aircraft dropped certainly re-designed many parts of the far east and created huge sand traps. Lots of mine traps too.
And those processes were good enough years later to enter competition,... But it did in the sixties win my silver bullets in B/C class pistol and rifle shotgun competition going to the state pistol championships I shoot once a month at the range to stay in tune. I still do stay “ in tune” and have to, thats how I safely maintain my levels of carry permits which in today’s chronically sick world is called survival. A gun never solved a situation, it created new ones… today skilled and confident it’s my back-up.
“ Red Tape, The DOD And Indifference”
The Special Forces of the United States, namely the Army Rangers, the SEALS, Marine Recon, Air Force COMMANDOS and Coast Guard Rescue Units and other specialized units hadn’t received any recognition for the work, honor and sacrifice required of their organization purposes and of course the reason, secrecy was number one. This was the situation before the 80’s.
But as news of their exploits came to the surface, and Hollywood produced a few good movies, it was time to recognize the sacrifices these men and women deserved.
The Special Forces training was tough, you train tough to fight tough. Just as in SCUBA, you plan your dive and then dive your plan. And there were fatal accidents in training and never made the headlines due to the secrecy. There were missions, rescues, removals, destruction that never made the front nor the back page.
Our mentor Richard Leandri believed the cats out of the bag and they were due a big thank you for their service. We had the names of seventeen who had paid the ultimate price before the SOCOM Memorial was built. Unfortunately Richard died, others have made claim to its existence.
The present, actually before 911 we became the Memorial Foundation, headed by Ellie Scarfone and I became number two. Handling the “ Operations, much of the building and liaison to the base and the usual Secretarial work”. Several projects later, ( finding out this was work) lots of change in people, some found out this was more than a name on a board…
Many of them left finally a foundation to secure a new Memorial for the soldiers of our Armed Forces at Centcom, we called the Rotunda. Upon completion, our last endeavor the “ Foot Soldier” is doing well as the Memorial in Inverness, Florida close to the Florida National Cemetery in Bushnell.
After many years, we have completed the latest mission. The last one after seventeen years of government screw-ups clusterf*cks at the Rotunda and shear frickin stupidity making a two year project almost two decades. With a new idiot in the WhiteHouse… No further comment on our direction.
This is the story of Memorials, inspired by Richard Leandri, and the latest, The Inverness Military Service Memorial and those who did the right thing. Three of us, have been there from day one, almost thirty-five years supporting our troops working on these projects, it just amazes me, how fast time goes by...
In Memory Of Richard Leandri
For almost three and a half decades, I have had the privilege and honor of working with a select group of people who have dedicated their efforts to recognize the efforts of and the sacrifices of our military. It all started when I was introduced to a gentleman by the name of Richard Leandri, who was a well known Realtor and Community leader in Clearwater, Florida.
Tom Falone, a friend introduced me to Richard, telling me we had something in common, and we hit it off both believing in the same things about our country, the military, and how we could contribute. It was through Richard I met Ellie Scarfone, aka known as Richard’s Goddaughter. It has been a privilege to know her for more than thirty-five years and a lot of work and projects. We completed five Memorials to the men and women of the SEALS, Rangers, Green Berets, Coast Guard Rescue Swimmers, Air Force Special Operations,
Richard’s belief and our mantra was the Special Forces of the United States, the Army Rangers, the SEALS, Commandos, Force Recon, the Coasties and other specialized units hadn’t received any recognition for the work, honor and sacrifice required of their organization, their purpose in a changing world and of course the reason, secrecy was number one.
But as news of their exploits came to the surface, it was time to recognize the sacrifices these men and women deserved, those who worked in the night and left no footprints.
Richard - Aka The Godfather Of The Rangers
Mr. Richard A. (Dick) Leandri was inducted into the Ranger Hall of Fame for his dedicated support to the US.Army Rangers. Mr. Leandri established and activated the a support group known as the Chairborne Rangers in 1980, and served as the Commanding Officer of Military Affairs. 
Mr. Leandri's contributions and dedicated support to the Rangers are in keeping with the highest traditions of selfless service.Richard, one man, started and changed all that.
Through contacts and friends he became well know as the God-Father of the Special Operations personnel who can’t exactly give away information and the military can’t applaud itself, so Richard found another way of letting the public see what they do with the building of the Military Memorial in LARGO, FL’s main park, dedicated to all branches
It continued on with Richards Organization, a group of individuals, some with prior military training, a few dubious individuals who took it serious, raised funding and in many cases hard labor to bring their exploits and at times professionalism to the forefront. A motley crew but did their job well. This was a crew who most First Shirts ( reference to a senior NCO) would ask...” What the hell are they up to now”... Our motto was …
Richards Favorite Expression:
“ Its Better To Beg For Forgiveness Than Ask For Permission”
Believing in the axiom, Better to Beg For Forgiveness then ask For Permission. The group went full bore and completed the work on The Ranger Memorial at Fort Benning and the organization of the Ranger Games, a yearly competition seen on ESPN. The next project was the building of the beautiful SOCOM Memorial built on MacDill Air Force Base.
Richard was a mover and shaker, he knew everyone and everyone new him as a successful realtor and developer in Clearwater. But his strongest suit was his love of the Military, when he passed, a Memorial plaque was dedicated and hangs in the entrance of the Special Operations Command Building at MacDill recognizing the man who recognized them.
We recognized our own. In the photo you’ll see ( Me) Al Jacobson presenting Richard Leandri the Golden Grenade Gavel in recognition of his devotion to the Military and especially the Rangers. It was in hope that Richard could get even more attention to the cause of supporting our troops with this symbolic gesture.
Ironically and unfortunately, a few days later Richard passed on from a massive heart attack while we were at Ft. Benning soon after the Ranger Games that year.
He died where he wanted to be… with his beloved Rangers during the time we were attending the games. Ironic but it would have been what Richard wanted, he was a great compassionate man.
Rangers Lead The Way !
Mr. Richard A. (Dick) Leandri was inducted into the Ranger Hall of Fame for his dedicated support to the US Army Rangers. Mr. Leandri established and activated the “ Chairborne Rangers” in 1980, and served as the leader and Commanding Officer of Military Affairs.
The Chairborne Rangers were a group of concerned business and professional men who support the military and sponsor the prestigious "David E. Grange, Jr., Best Ranger Competition" annually at Fort Benning, Georgia. Mr. Leandri contributed immensely to the sponsorship, support, and design of the Ranger Memorial. Mr. Leandri also established and founded the "Shuffstall Award" which honors the drill sergeant of the year at Fort Benning.
Mr. Leandri was deeply involved in community and civic affairs and was the recipient of over 70 awards for service, including the Sertoma Club’s "Service to Mankind" award, the Exchange Club's "Book of Golden Deeds" award, and the National Secretaries Association's "Boss of the Year" award.
He received many awards from law enforcement and the military, including the American Defense Citation for outstanding service to the military, awarded by the Secretary of the Army. Mr. Leandri’s contributions and dedicated support to the Rangers are in keeping with the highest traditions of selfless service. The dedication was completed for the:
SOCOM MEMORIAL LOCATED ON MacDILL AIR FORCE BASE
The Us Centcom Memorial Foundation
The Centcom Memorial Foundation was formed and the three principals worked together from the beginning which was before 911. The three of us, were there from day one, more than decade and a half. Many talked the talk, and never walked the walk. Common on many projects. Our work was slowed by a war, the longest undeclared war our country has seen. It’s a war folks, when people die from bombs and bullets, it’s a war and it’s still going on.
In particular, let me introduce:
Ms. Ellie Scarfone, President and Leader, Vision and Planning
Alan Jacobson, VP, Secretary and Operations, Shovel in Hand
Mr. David Troup, Treasurer and Financial Planning, And Implementation
As established we were a non-profit, Federal and Florida State registered organization, in compliance with code 501 [C] [3] established in 2001. We were publicly funded, and accepted donations for the building of a Memorial at MacDill Air Force Base, Tampa, Florida. No taxpayer dollars or Federal grants were used other than the land the Memorial is built on, as supplied by the US Air Force. All of the funds have been raised by donation.
Our organization is and always has been dedicated to the “TROOPS”. It is not about specific units, branches of service, rank, our board, or individuals. Our focus was clear and defined, we serve and recognize the “TROOPS” and those who have paid the ultimate price in service to their country under the control and direction of the AOR of the Central Command. They are all heroes…
The Longest Project 2001-2018
• WAR DELAYS — War does stretch things out a bit. We are engaged in a war with no end it seems. Attacks on civilians in other countries and potential sappers and terrorists on our own soil promulgated more extreme levels of security. The changes in base admittance policies for security reasons, and numerous regulations caused delays after delays. A review of base passes for us to do our work was crippling. The raising of the security levels went into effect. And the DOD lost our submitted paperwork.
The real problem stems from a broad “ Not my job” attitude since the Air Force owns the base, SOCOM and CENTCOM rent space on the base, the base engineers had no clue, and we were civilians donating a million dollar project to (unknown it seems). We learned our lesson. Never again on DOD property, base or government secured land. We could not even borrow a bucket truck for ten minutes to take some aerial shots.
• SECURITY VIOLATIONS — Several security violations, occurred on the base on a higher level added to the concerns. A big increase in security changed the game. There was a gate intercept of vehicle with weapons, A shooting by an intruder at the main gate, a homeless woman beating the devices and made it on the property several times. She should have been hired and work for the Air Force Security Team to test their facility security. Obviously it left something to be desired.
• BILLION DOLLAR UPGRADE TO THE BASE — The base added two new buildings, new roads, a hospital and a new security parameter, bollards and underground defensive protection for the Joint Building and the Centcom building. Time kills projects, costs doubled and even rebar
(The steel rods you see in concrete) suddenly became gold. Something the alchemists have wanted to do for ages.
Our finance accounts were going down quickly as costs went skyward. We could not add additional funding because it required soliciting the DOD and Congress and that meant three to five years and probably like last time, they’ll lose the paperwork.
• HIGH LEVEL INDISCRETIONS — THE KELLY AFFAIR — But it was the national press with some rather bad publicity concerning the Generals and party favors. Several upscale hob-nabbers ( The Kelly sisters) entertained the hierarchy of our Military with parties and social gatherings. Those civilians were who had access to the base, literally unlimited with titles, and phony diplomatic titles and favors secured from the General Staff. It wasn’t some enlisted or officer personnel Friday night getting in a local squabble, this was as one put it “ A full blown high end FUBAR”.
It went deeper with the scandal blown totally out of proportion, involving a General (Petraeus) and his writer, over security issues. Much ado about the affair in the press, no security breech, a mistake, no damage was done. She was in the military and had a clearance but obviously some of the data was need to know. But severe damage meant something else to the DOD and us.
• ISSUES TOO STUPID TO REPEAT — With the result that 2500 of MacDills real supporters in Tampa bay who had base privileges ( strictly admittance) got cut in half, many of those who had worked on various projects supporting the base. Since our project was not kin to anyone, we were independent, we were tossed from base passes.
And the press camped outside the Kelly’s house for weeks and it made national news big time and federal inquires. The DOD slammed down on base access and because we were a charity and not assigned to a specific Command and no one would assume responsibility, basically we were forgotten.
Several of us who were doing great work for the base for thirty years somehow got dumped, and had to get permission from the DOD and the FBI checks again. And they knew nothing about it. Since as volunteers we got no support from the Command. Based on what I did for them, I probably have been checked more that twenty-five times and had to go through it again. It dragged on and on and we could not get anything done... More lost paperwork from the DOD.
DECISIONS — The Last Straw Killed The Camel — Bottom line for the Memorial at MacDill was the ACCESS FOR CIVILIANS as we had envisioned it. The increased security killed that idea. It was not on the table, the base remains at a higher level of security and any event or projects required more red tape than a banner parade in Moscow.
The war added new security levels, changes of command were like the seasons, adding transfer, rotational deployments and more secrecy. And the toughest hit was dealing with the DOD’s new regulations basically closing access for civilians, that killed our proposed second attempt at fulfillment as improvements would not account against initial costings.
So we finished what we could, we could not attain access for the project for Civilians. The main drive was to familiarize the Community of the work and sacrifice by the men and women of these Commands and that literally killed the project.
BOTTOM LINE: THE CHANGES DICTATED BY THE DOD, WHICH AFFECTED THE BASIC GOAL OF ACCESSIBILITY TO THE MEMORIAL FOR THE PUBLIC WAS CRIPPLED. IT DICTATED THAT DUE TO FUNDING AND DISRUPTIONS AND PROPOSED UPGRADES TO THE MEMORIAL WERE CANCELLED … WE WERE DONE…
WE COMPLETED THE OPEN ARM ROTUNDA, THE ORIGINAL PLAN — Thus our job is done, and we wish the very best for those who will follow…in supporting the families of the fallen, and hope the CENTCOM Memorial as it stands will serve its purpose. The security issues, even for good people and families of the honored could not have access without assistance made changes untenable for us to add additional embellishments and upgrades.
MacDill AIR FORCE BASE CENTCOM MEMORIAL
DOLLY JACOBSON, GEN. TOMMY FRANKS, MRS.FRANKS, AL JACOBSON
MEMORIAL FOUNDATION BENEFIT FOR CENTCOM
Lead the US war efforts in Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom.
AL JACOBSON, ELLIE SCARFONE, BRUCE CRANDALL
MEDAL OF HONOR WINNER PORTRAYED IN MEL GIBSON MOVIE
“ WE WERE SOLDIERS”
The story of Col. Bruce P. Crandall, U.S. Army veteran of the Vietnam War... LZ X-RAY
He would later receive the Medal of Honor due to his heroic actions during the Battle of Ia Drang
AKA KNOWN OF THE VALLEY OF DEATH
AL JACOBSON, GENERAL PETRAEUS AT DINNER
GETS TAPPED FOR THE SURGE DEPLOYMENT
THE INVERNESS MEMORIAL
FOR THE TROOPS
STAGE ONE: THE STATUES ARRIVE IN INVERNESS FOR THE
MILITARY SERVICE MEMORIAL
After a 1842 mile trip, crated, and weighing 1100.00+ pounds, the statues arrived in
Inverness, Florida to be stored until ready to be moved into the new park area
next to the courthouse building…
STATUES ARRIVE FROM COLORADO TO INVERNESS FLORIDA FOR THE UNVEILING OF THE
THE MILITARY SERVICE MEMORIAL IN INVERNESS FLORIDA
FRANK DIGIOVANNI, CITY MANAGER ELLIE SCARFONE, FOUNDATION PRESIDENT
DAVID TROUP, TREASURER, AL JACOBSON VP /SEC /OPERATIONS
THE UNVEILING TEAM
AL ZIMMERMAN, MEDALIST VIETNAM HELICOPTER
ELLIE SCARFONE, FOUNDATION PRESIDENT
SCOTT STEARMAN, MASTER SCULPTURE
DAVID TROUP, TREASURER AND MRS TROUP
SHARMAN McCARTY AND AL JACOBSON, VP/ SEC/ OPERATIONS
THE MILITARY SERVICE MEMORIAL - INVERNESS FLORIDA
When one door closes, it seems another door opens, a couple of years ago we found we have a new beginning and new project. After our president, Ellie Scarfone met with Frank DeGiovanni, City Manager of Inverness, a town known for its love of the military, conversation led to cooperation on a level we were not used to. They were looking for enhancement, we had experience and product knowledge, experience and they were willing to put it all together, graciously.
The best way to describe Inverness is a little town with a really big heart. Thus a Military Service Memorial, with all the essence of what we were about, and what the city was about, and with their councils approval the die was cast. Our Memorial Foundation would work with the City to build the Military Service Memorial.
In cooperation with the city of Inverness Florida, January 20, 2018) we Unveiled a New City Park and Memorial to those who served in our country’s wars.
In the photo above our team met with City Manager Frank DiGiovanni, our organizations President Ellie Scarfone, Treasurer David Troup, Vice President /Sec/Operations Alan Jacobson and we unveiled the statues we will be presenting to the city for their new Military Service Memorial Park being built in the middle of town and accessible to all.
Inverness is close to the Florida National Cemetery. The Florida National Cemetery is part of the United States National Cemetery system located near the city of Bushnell in Sumter County, Florida. Administered by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs, it encompasses 512.9 acres, and began interments in 1988.
SATURDAY, JANUARY 20, 2018 PRESS NOTIFICATION
The Military Service Memorial for the fallen will be presented today to the public in the Florida City of Inverness. The city has graciously provided the resources for a new city park located strategically in a very high traffic area where it will be seen, open to and experienced by all, 24/7/365.
It is close to the hallowed ground of the Florida National Cemetery located in Bushnell Florida, next to highways 41 and 44 on the side of the government center building in a beautiful new park.
It is this proximity to the FNC cemetery, supported by an incredibly large community of military, civilian retirees, and a very progressive city government that moves forward on things, the town of Inverness Florida, made the selection for our project simple.
From start to finish the project went as planned and the results exemplify the cooperation, efforts, perfection and belief in what was the final goal, the recognition of the those who served.
Burial in a national cemetery is open to all members of the armed forces who have met a minimum active duty service requirement and were discharged under conditions other than dishonorable. A Veteran’s spouse, widow or widower, minor dependent children, and under certain conditions, unmarried adult children with disabilities may also be eligible for burial. Eligible spouses and children may be buried even if they predecease the Veteran.
Members of the reserve components of the armed forces who die while on active duty or who die while on training duty, or were eligible for retired pay, may also be eligible for burial.
DEDICATION
The unveiling of the monument in Inverness was on JANUARY 20, 2018. Located almost in the center of town in a great little city. It was voted into greatness by and designated a “Gateway Community” by the Florida Trail Association.
Since 1995, Inverness has been recognized as a Tree City USA by the National Arbor Day Foundation and the US Forest Service. In 2009, Inverness was named “City of the Year” by the Forty and Eight, a national veterans’ organization.
Incredible, as a population under 8000 but always something to do and a very active town, something going on, concerts and the likes with a fair amount of space there is always a seat at the table in some great little eating spots. Lots of mom and pop places with great food. It is also one of the fastest growing communities in Florida with all kinds of great things soon to happen.
The City of Inverness designed and built the park for the statues that we donated, it’s really a major city event, their show and we couldn’t agree more about how well the presentation went . For the first time in thirty-five years of doing this work for the recognition of our military, our team, Ellie, Alan, and David can sit back and relax knowing the work we did will be appreciated and acceptable to all. I am proud of our teams effort and closure, and we thank humbly the City of Inverness. The statues location was paramount to our initial plans for public acceptance and makes the representation easily available to the public.
THE PROGRAM
• Greetings by the Mayor of Inverness - Bob Plaisted
• City Council - Hepfer, Hinkle, Mcbride, Bega, and Ryan
• Invocation by the City Chaplain Stan Beach
• Pledge of Allegiance - Cabot McBride
• National Anthem - Angela Vick
• Flag Presentation - Ken Hinkle and Junior Marines
• “Proud to be an American” Videotron - Lee Greenwood
• Speaker - Al Zimmerman, Viet Nam Distinguished Helicopter Pilot
• Memorial Team - Ms. Ellie Scarfone, President and Introduced our team David Troup and Alan Jacobson
• Sculptor Artist - Scott Stearman
• Closing Remarks - Frank DiGiovanni - “I’m humbled, moved, blown away,” DiGiovanni said at the unveiling. “This is an incredible presentation of the effects of war, and these are lifelike, real-life people brought from the battlefield to Inverness in a memorialized manner.
CONVERSATIONS OVERHEARD
-- Ellie Scarfone said: “This is incredibly impressive, I had originally thought it should go to Liberty Park because the 9/11 memorial is there and it’s a larger, more open space”. “But with the proposed changes the city made to his area, this makes much better sense.
-- Frank DeGiovanni: “ Sometimes it’s wonderful that things don’t go the way we plan them”. Look what we have here.
-- Alan Jacobson Interceded: “Yes, patience, cooperation, and with a little divine guidance, and lots of sheer grit at times, we have exceeded our own expectations”.
Meet The ARTIST....SCOTT STEARMAN
Everyday, we all have the opportunity to answer the question, “What is in my hand?” For me, the answers lie in the tools of my trade. The ideas, clay, calipers, and shapers all hold the secret to communicating with people I will never meet. I want the message to endure long after I am gone. I want the message to speak the eternal truths to a culture that needs reminding.
Scott Stearman pointing to the statues and in particular the helmet worn by Sgt. Amy Perkins with pictures of her children and her fiancé who unfortunately did not make it home from the war zone and was laid to rest. The detail in the statues are true to the time the era and the place and come alive when you take the time to see them.
Such is the life of a sculpture. The clay model sits in front of me on the table, life ever so slowly coming to the figures as I shape the details, hour upon hour. It’s time consuming, tedious work. This model will eventually be formed into to a finished piece. But the soul is captured here, in his hands while the clay is still workable. My studio is tucked into the side of a small hill in the trees of Woodland Park, Colorado. The setting alone is a source of inspiration for me. Larger hands are actually at work, guiding my own to produce something that I hope will endure. It’s a simple equation— Faith in, faith out.
MY FRIEND IS A SCULPTOR
by Kelley Leigh
When my friend Scott starts to tell a story, a chatty room gets quiet. His stories are witty, drawn out patiently, and worth hearing. He’s like big ole’ Grizzly Adams, Will Rogers, and your favorite cousin, all wrapped together.
A few years ago, one of my sons described Scott as a “Santa in summer.” If that’s true, then Santa lives in a big-timber log house in the mountains and does road trips on a huge yellow motorcycle with his wife Hermine.
People listen to Scott. And, Scott leans in to listen to people. That is probably why he’s so outstanding at what he does. Scott Stearman is a sculptor. He tells his stories in bronze.
Bronze sculptures are timeless containers for our collective stories. What sculptures capture in the present, they continue to speak long into the ages. Bronzes outlive the generations that birth them. They preside over public places and whisper their history into the present. Like no other artform, they withstand the weather of time, and tirelessly ask the future to pause and remember.
Scott’s studio and partner foundry are here in Colorado, but his work permanently stands and whispers in places like universities, city squares, military memorials, hospitals, financial institutions — all over the country.
One of my favorite things about Scott’s work is the layers of detailed symbolism he includes. It’s like playing “I Spy” to find the embedded messages.
For instance, one of his military sculpture includes details only a soldier will notice. This is the sculpture for the Inverness Service Memorial
- A wristwatch set to 9:11 as a nod to the New York terrorist attacks.
- A picture of a soldier’s fiance’ tucked in a helmet.
- A metal feather taken from a statute ripped down from Sadam Hussein’s palace — placed on the ground under a boot, in symbol of defeat.
- A right shoulder empty of gear, and one knee-pad on a right-knee, for a rifleman’s clear shot.
- A wedding ring quietly speaking it’s promise to someone back home.
The stories embedded in his work are rich and varied. And he continues to cover new territory with his sculpture. We’ll hear more about Scott as his next projects unfold and more stories are told. This is what I wrote, in black Sharpie marker, on a locker door in Scott’s studio.
“In this space, our friend shows us life. When he creates with clay, he makes something from nothing, truth from dirt, beauty from earth. He points us to our creator.” True that.
A CUP…IN HIS NAME
Many years ago I was approached by a compassionate ministry organization with the request that I create a new sculpture that could represent their work. My goal was to sculpt a piece that could could tell their story but also represent the story of compassion that is present in every group who is stepping into that hard place.
The motivation for a design can come from many different places. 
In the mid 1980s a lot of us remember that the famine in Africa held our attention. Every night on the evening news we saw graphic examples of extreme human need. Speeches were given, money was raised and everyone sang “We Are The World.”
Eventually, the images faded and lost their edge, the money was dispersed, and the song felt old.
For most of us, the memory is dull and the movies, in our mind have long been traded for new ones. But everyday…somewhere in this world one scene replays…as if the author of human suffering constantly rehearses his dark drama.
They’re always there…these hands…reaching a scoop of rice…a bit of bread… a cup of water…so simple “And whoever gives to one of these little ones even a cup of cold water because he is a disciple, truly, I say to you, he shall not lose his reward.” Matthew 10:42
Everyday, we all have the opportunity to answer the question, “What is in my hand?” For me, the answers lie in the tools of my trade. The ideas, clay, calipers, and shapers all hold the secret to communicating with people I will never meet. I want the message to endure long after I am gone. I want the message to speak the eternal truths to a culture that needs reminding.
RECOGNITION
The first of these two plaques are in recognition for those three names at the bottom of the plaque, whose direction brought the statues and artistry of Scott Stearman, the insight and the vision of City Manager Frank DiGiovanni that brought about this park and Memorial. We humbly thank the people, the incredible collaboration with the loving Citizens of Inverness Florida, the Mayoral and City Government leaders and most of all those represented by this Memorial … the Soldiers…
THE MEMORIAL FOUNDATION
Ellie Scarfone Al Jacobson David Troup
The Second of these two plaques names the Wonderful Staff and City Government of
Inverness Florida, voted one of the best small towns in the US to live in.
MORE PICTURES OF THE DEDICATION MAY BE FOUND AT
Not exactly a Poet Laureate more like a Poet Lariat since some would like to hang me…