News

10.26.2011 | EOD Memorial Expansion

Option for EOD Memorial Expansion

When the original Memorial was constructed it was not envisioned to need any larger Cenotaphs then was built. Unfortunately this has not been the case for the recent conflict we are still engaged in. It became clear that space on the U.S Army Cenotaph was rapidly being taken up by our fallen comrades. Several years ago two designs for eventual expansion were developed at the Eglin AFB Civil Engineers Division at the request of the EOD School. A survey was taken at the next EOD Memorial Ball and unfortunately the results have been lost, along with the copies of the two designs.

The EOD Memorial Foundation Board has established a Board Committee to explore potential solutions to this problem. During the search for solutions the committee was able to locate the initial two designs that had been developed a few years ago, they are included in the potential solutions below. The options listed are by no means all inclusive. The board will consider all options submitted. Suggestions, comments and alternative options can be sent to Bob Fay or Dan Tompkins.

In order to memorialize the added U.S. Army personnel by May of 2012 it limits options of major changes at least for the time we now have. A second consideration is the costs involved with each of the options. The cost for major reconstruction is going to take a large amount of money. The Foundation Board is very aware of its responsibility to safeguard and wisely utilize the funds that it is entrusted with. This may require a special fund raising effort to undertake major reconstruction.

The Board Committee has developed a number of options along with two earlier designs. No decision or ranking has been selected or chosen. This document will be publicized widely within the EOD Community for views, suggestions and addition optioning.

The document can be viewed here: EOD Memorial Expansion Plan

Messages

  • 01.09.2012

    Modify option 2. Swing the low walls around to the sides. This will prevent hemming in or restricting attendees at the ceremony. Current cenotaphs stay the same. This keeps the focus of the ceremony on the current memorial and maintains the traditions and history associated with the cenotaphs. Every ten years, ceremoniously admitt all names over 50 years old to membership in the ‘Old Guard EOD’. Their name plates are then moved to plaques arranged on the low wall honoring the old guard. There the names are organized by decade (1940′s, 1950′s etc). Each decade’s plaque(s) can have service headings with the name plates arranged under the appropriate service. This unites us in history, but allows identification of service affiliation without modifying the name plates. The demensions of the low walls appears to allow enough space for plaques covering several hundred years and allows easy addition of names discovered at a later date. The construction can take place in phases and need not be complete before the first names are transferred.

    ~ Clark Hinga | Galesburg, MI
  • 11.05.2011

    I like the idea of having all names listed together and organized according to the time period/conflict. We all go to school together, serve together and have friends in all the services so I would like to stay as one family. In any case, I admire the efforts of others that are trying to treat the memorial right.

    ~ Dusty Easton | Hooks, TX
  • 10.27.2011

    Option one, though costly, would be the best approach. We’re memorializing our fallen forever, might as well make it something that looks great and is going to last. As far as option two, as big as the Memorial Ceremony has been getting, you don’t want to take that space away from spectators. I know I don’t want to attend the ceremony by sitting out in the road, and we owe it to the EOD community to not push them out into the street when they come to pay homage to our brothers and sisters. Let’s hit the fund raising trail, I’ll do my part to help make it a reality!

    ~ Ed Moats | Goldsboro, NC
  • 10.27.2011

    I’d like to see option 3 or 8 done immediately (before next ceremony) and then a longer term plan decided on over the next 2-3 years.

    Plan for the future but take care of today first.

    I have a lot of friends on the memorial and want it to last a couple hundred years.

    ~ CHRISTOPHER FROST | Alexandria, VA