A five-year effort to came to fruition over the Memorial Day weekend with the dedication of the Nevada Veterans Memorial.
Unveiled Friday at a ceremony attended by Gov. Brian Sandoval, lawmakers, and scores of veterans, the 18 larger-than-life castings are set amid trees, black granite wall, and a cobblestone walkway outside the Grant Sawyer state building in downtown Las Vegas.
Sculptor Douwe Blumberg created the pieces that show the likeness of soldiers in conflicts from the Revolutionary War to the war on terror. He worked with a military historian to ensure the accuracy of the pieces.
Scott Tiano, head of the foundation that raised funds and in-kind contributions for the memorial said it would have cost $2.5 million had not much of the labor and materials been donated.
“A big piece of it for us was the younger generation,” said Tiano, who added that he hoped the memorial could “get them engaged in selflessness and service to the country.”
Scott Tiano, executive director, Las Vegas Veterans Memorial Foundation