State-Journal.com - Guard memorial unveiled

Photo By State Journal/Hilly Schiffer

Maj. Gen. Edward W. Tonini, adjutant general of Kentucky, and Wyatt Gragg, a sculptor, unveil a miniature replica of the Daniel Boone statue that will be a part of the Kentucky National Guard Memorial at Boone National Guard Center’s Wellman Armory Wednesday. The permanent memorial, to be constructed at the entrance of the Boone Center, will honor those who serve and who have died in service of the Kentucky National Guard.

Photo By State Journal/Hilly Schiffer

Lt. Colonel Steve King of Lexington looks at the design of the Kentucky National Guard Memorial during the 217th birthday of the Kentucky National Guard at Boone National Guard Center’s Wellman Armory.

Plans for a memorial to the Kentucky National Guard, including a bronze statue of Daniel Boone in front of a large stone image of Kentucky, were unveiled Wednesday at a ceremony.

The memorial will be built at the Boone Center entrance to honor those who served and died in the Kentucky National Guard, which celebrated its 217th birthday Wednesday with a host of dignitaries and family members.

That included Mary Edwards, of Frankfort whose husband, Spec. Chris Edwards, 41, has been in the Army for 20 years and is serving in the same company in Iraq as Lt. Chuck Mulligan, 43, Louisville.

“When I read in the newspaper about the memorial, I felt there couldn’t be a more fitting honor for those who have died and for those who are still serving,” said Anne Mulligan, who was at the Boone Center and is the mother of the lieutenant.

The two men have become close friends. Mulligan and Edwards say they’re excited they will be returning in September.

Lynn Romans’ son, Sgt. Darrin Potter, 24, was the first Kentucky National Guardsman killed in action since the Vietnam War. He died in Iraq in September 2003.

“My son died a hero,” Romans said. “This memorial is a way for the state and others to recognize the heroic and honorable service of those who died.”

Karen and Kenneth Wallace talked about their son, Sgt. Daniel Wallace, 27, who died October 2008 in Afghanistan.

“You couldn’t ask for more of an honor,” said Karen Wallace, wiping tears from her eyes.

Cullen McBroom, Muldoon Memorials, Louisville and Wyatt Gragg, a sculptor from Prospect, worked on the memorial design, estimated to cost $500,000.

“Boone hated coonskin hats and refused to wear them,” Gragg said at the ceremony. “Instead he preferred a felt brim hat. “

For the statue, therefore, “Boone is hatless.”

At the memorial site, Boone will stand more than seven feet tall and, as Gragg told the audience, “he will represent both past and present Kentucky guardsmen who are, in my eyes, larger than life.”

According to John Trowbridge, command historian for the Kentucky National Guard, Boone was a member of the Kentucky Militia, and even though not a Kentuckian, “he helped to carve out of a wilderness what would become Kentucky.”

Trowbridge said Kentucky has one of the oldest military forces in the U.S. It was established in 1775 when Kentucky was known as Fincastle County, a part of western Virginia.

Isaac Shelby was governor on June 24, 1792 when the Militia Act was signed into law, which formed the Kentucky Militia. That was the forerunner of today’s Kentucky National Guard.

Contributions for the memorial have started to come in, and two were presented at the ceremony – more than $1,000 by Frankfort VFW Post 4075 and $24,000 from Don Bowles, of Don Bowles Corp.

Bowles, 70, from Madisonville, served eight years in the Kentucky National Guard from 1956-64, and his mining company contributed part of the land on which the Boone Center is based.

Bowles said he believes the memorial is needed to remember those “we tend to forget after a day or two” for what they contribute to Kentucky.

Maj. Gen. Edward W. Tonini, adjutant general of Kentucky, told those assembled, “We are your friends, neighbors and family. We are the Kentucky National Guard.”

Gov. Steve Beshear issued a proclamation making June 24, 2009 “Kentucky National Guard Day.”

The proclamation pays tribute to the service of the Guard, specifically noting the 2008 ice storm that resulted in the “largest state active duty call-up in the history of the organization.”

To see a rendition of the memorial or to contribute visit: www.kyngmemorial.com.

To learn more about the history of the Kentucky National Guard visit: www.kynghistory.ky.gov.