Semifinalists unveil designs for Fallen Five memorial [photos]

U.S.M.C. Capt. Patrick Sansbury, left, talks with Gordon Huether about his design concept for a "Fallen Five" memorial during a reception at City Hall on Wednesday, Nov. 15, 2017, in Chattanooga, Tenn. Three semifinal artists revealed their design concepts for a memorial to honor the five servicemen who were killed in the July 16, 2015 attacks on military facilities in Chattanooga.
U.S.M.C. Capt. Patrick Sansbury, left, talks with Gordon Huether about his design concept for a "Fallen Five" memorial during a reception at City Hall on Wednesday, Nov. 15, 2017, in Chattanooga, Tenn. Three semifinal artists revealed their design concepts for a memorial to honor the five servicemen who were killed in the July 16, 2015 attacks on military facilities in Chattanooga.

Semifinalists chosen to create a proposed memorial in honor of the servicemen killed in the July 16, 2015, attacks unveiled their designs Wednesday during a reception at Chattanooga City Hall.

The memorial will go along the Tennessee River by the Hubert Fry Center near the site of the second shooting to commemorate the servicemen who were killed in the attack, including four U.S. Marines: Gunnery Sgt. Thomas J. Sullivan, Staff Sgt. David A. Wyatt, Sgt. Carson A. Holmquist, and Lance Cpl. Squire K. "Skip" Wells; and U.S. Navy Petty Officer 2nd Class Randall J. Smith.

"This was a call from the community, and I think more than just the Fallen Five, we're commemorating the way the community came together and responded to the tragedy," Chattanooga Director of Public Art Katelyn Kirnie said.

The three proposed memorials each would stand about 20-24 feet tall and are designed for two sites near the center. Artists were allowed to choose which site they preferred - a site on the riverfront or a wooded area behind the riverfront property - or come up with a design that encompassed both.

There are other private memorials and works of art across the city to remember the fallen servicemen. However, this will be located near the site of the shootings and will be a larger memorial - budgeted for $750,000 - mostly paid by city and county taxpayers.

"I think this is what was wanted from citizens," Kirnie said. "This is also very sacred ground where the actual incident occurred. A lot of memorials don't give you that proximity to the event. I think it holds a place of significance in our memories."

The three semifinalists were chosen from 55 artists who expressed interest in the project. The artists are Gordon Huether with Gates and Associates, Shane Allbritton and Norman Lee of Re:site, and Howard Meehan and William Freer of Firefly Studio.

"My mission in life is to inspire the spirit of humanity by bringing beauty and meaning to the world," Huether said of his decision to take on the project. "This is an extraordinary opportunity to fulfill that mission."

An 11-person committee consisting of liaisons to the servicemen's families, veterans, artists, an architect and city staff will vote on the proposals Nov. 30. The city's goal is to start construction in July 2018 and finish a year later in time for the 2019 anniversary of the attacks.

The designs are on display at city hall. Community members are asked to view them and provide feedback.

Contact staff writer Mark Pace at mpace@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6659. Follow him on Twitter @themarkpace and on Facebook at ChattanoogaOutdoorsTFP.

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