Q Madp has been traveling to Salem from Portland throughout the construction period to document the war tribute's creation.
(SALEM) - The Afghan-Iraqi War Memorial on Summer Street in Salem is progressing toward its November completion date. The memorial is the result of the efforts of Clay and MJ Kesterson whose son Erik Kesterson, an Army Blackhawk helicopter pilot, was shot down and killed while fighting in Iraq in 2003.
The family initially approached the Oregon Legislature and the state agreed to contribute $100,000 toward the project. But immense volunteer efforts prevented the need for that money and now the team is under the direction of local contractor Bill McMichael, a family friend of the Kesterson’s.
Another Kesterson family friend is artist Jane Honbeck, who came up with the drawings. After conception, McMichael went to work along with a wealth of other local contractors and volunteers and began creating the tribute to all of those who have died in the wars overseas in Iraq and Afghanistan.
As the memorial has progressed from one stage to the next, Q Madp of
War Memorial in Salem Coming TogetherSalem-News.com