War Memorial in Salem is Drawing Criticism

Questions are in the air over the memorial's design and timing as wars overseas continue to rage.

Image of the statue planned for Salem, Oregon Courtesy: freedomisntfreeoregon.org

(SALEM) - Erik Kesterson was a 28-year old helicopter pilot who was killed in Iraq during November 2003.

Photo: armyaircrews.com

His parents, Clay and M.J. Kesterson, have spent countless hours since his death leading the drive to build a memorial to Erik and all of the other s lost in Iraq and Afghanistan.

But as the LA Times reports, the couple has run into a thicket of criticism about the project's timing and aesthetics.

The fountain design

M.J. Kesterson

Jane Honbeck, the designer and architect of the memorial, is a family friend and neighbor of the Kestersons. The design consists of an oval pool with constantly moving water. It is lined with a stainless-steel map of the world and an 8-foot bronze figure of a soldier down on one knee over the United States, with an arm outstretched.

Professor of Architecture Andrew Shanken at UC Berkeley, says he isn't surprised that Oregon is moving ahead before the end of the war.

He calls this an era of memorial mania.

He says that between Oklahoma City, 9/11, and the focus on the 50th anniversary of World War II, "People are rushing to put up memorials - and every interest group wants to be a part of it. It is a good thing when they have to slow down and consider the process," Shanken said. "Most memorials are badly done, and don't stand up to the test of time."

But that may not be the case in Oregon at all. Most local reviews of the memorial have been favorable, and Oregonians seem to have reached the conclusion that honoring people is not the same as backing a policy or elected leader. To go straight to the source, visit this site: www.freedomisntfreeoregon.org/ and you can get the Kesterson perspective.