SPRINGVILLE — Richard Money's allegiance to his country is steeled by the sight of chiseled men and women preparing to fight as members of America's armed forces.
That's largely the reason Money, who served in the Navy during the Korean War, is taken by emotion when he looks at five new statues that were commissioned to honor those who've served in the U.S. military.
"We wanted to do something, because there are no veterans' statues in the town," he said. "And you know, Springville is 'The Art City,' so we thought it was a good project."
The community is home to a major collection at the Springville Museum of Art. In addition, more than a dozen sculptures, from Western figures to playful children, are prominently displayed in public places around town.
The Springville Veterans Memorial Board plans to dedicate the latest bronzes at the Springville Cemetery on Memorial Day.
The 3-foot-tall statues depict soldiers from the five military branches.
The statue of a Marine is an image from the Vietnam War. The Army and Air Force are represented by a soldier and pilot from the World War II era. A Navy seaman totes his duffle bag and a female U.S. Coast Guard officer carries a life preserver.
The five sculptures, plus the seals of each branch of the military, will adorn the base of the flagpole at the cemetery.
While they are dedicated to the bravery of those who fought for their country, the statues are also intended for the living, said Glade Creer of the Springville American Legion.
The ensemble "creates an emotion," said Creer, a Korean War veteran.
Creer, who served in the Army, said it was truly a grass-roots effort to raise the necessary funds, with the help of organizations like the American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars.
"I wanted them to be individuals, and at the same time, I wanted them to go together," said Orem artist Leroy Transfield. "They wanted five branches of the military. The only criteria was that we had to have a female in there; basically, the rest was left up to me."
In preparation, Transfield studied hours of war documentaries. He realized that the appearance of soldiers changed dramatically from war to war.
Ultimately, he chose soldiers from each modern war, including a U.S. Coast Guard officer, who is dressed in modern gear.
"The one thing you realize is that war is hell and that a lot of people died and a lot of people got hurt and a lot of lives were affected. So, all I had to do was spend a year on it," Transfield said. "In my small way, I tried to just do the best that I could and hopefully give it justice."
Creer said Springville suffered its share of war casualties. The statues, he hopes, will serve as a reminder that the sacrifice of those who died is remembered.
The memorial will be dedicated Monday at 10:30 a.m. at the cemetery, 225 W. 400 South. U.S. Federal Judge David Sam will speak.
Money said the statues were being installed over the weekend.
"This is history. I look at the World War II statues, and I'd seen people like this. The realism depicts a bit of history and to see history evolve in these five statues," Money said.
E-MAIL: gfattah@desnews.com