The bugler kneels, head bowed after honoring another soldier with Taps. At the far end of a long reflecting pool, a young boy stands holding the flag of his forefathers tucked under his arm as he salutes the kneeling soldier.

The boy is  life-size and the relief of the kneeling soldier is 8 feet tall.

 The idea behind the design was to honor all soldiers of all wars.  The white finish represents the spirit of all soldiers past and future.  Both sculptures were made using Winterstone.

My nine year old grandson, Kolter, was the model for the little boy and the bugler wears the 1st Cavalry patch, my unit in Vietnam, now  headquartered out of nearby Fort Hood.  The bugle is modeled after one of the earliest bugles used.

The Pool

When I designed the negative edge pool and back wall that would be the foundation for the sculpture, I had no idea the premiere contactor for that type of pool was located just miles from Temple.

Lew Akins and the staff of Ocean Quest Pools  did an outstanding job of bringing the design to life.  It was a perfect artistry partnership.

An extra special thanks to Kim Mettenbrink with the Temple Parks and Leisure Department, who was the glue that made it all come together.

"...he has captured every emotion in the beauty - sadness - impact - statement - art - expression - of his work...please let him know for me that he leaves me crying....even now as I write to you about it I am still in tears...it has touched me very deeply."

Pat Donahy, Llano, Texas