One Veterans Place Silver Spring, MD

This Sunday marks the one year anniversary of the unveiling of “Tribute to our Veterans” located at Veterans Plaza in downtown Silver Spring. This memorial was created to honor the brave men and women who have served in times of war and peace. The design of the plaza was created by Machado & Silvetti Architects with Richard Burk Associates, Inc. and constructed by Costello Construction of Maryland. The memorial was commissioned to sculptor Tobias “Toby” Mendez who’s notable installations include bas reliefs at the United States Navy Memorial; a statue of Danny Thomas with three children at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital; and bronze sculptures of famous Boston Red Sox players at Fenway Park. Finally, Classic Glass, Inc. was chosen to create three carved glass panels to rest atop Mendez’s bronze relief sculpture.

Veterans Plaza - Ice Skating Rink

Three separate installations pay homage to veterans and historic landmarks, one representing Montgomery County, one depicting the State of Maryland, and the other honoring veterans nationwide. Each glass panel contains poignant reproductions of letters penned by veterans from various branches of the military. The letters were generously provided by Andrew Carroll and The Legacy Project collection as the were originally written, including any errors. In addition to the letters, all seven uniformed service branches are represented including the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, Public Health Service Commissioned Corps and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Commissioned Corps. The glass panels are mounted to bronze relief bases that pay tribute to the five branches of the military, the honor guards from each service branch and the changing of the guard at Arlington National Cemetery. Additionally, the bases depict scenes of well-known battlefields and other historical landmarks.

(installed and viewed from Left to Right)

Tribute to our Veterans - National Panel

National Panel

To honor veterans throughout the country, the national panel presents letters from the Revolutionary War, the Civil War, World War I, World War II, the Vietnam War, the Gulf War and the Bosnian Conflict. Also included is a moving passage from Abraham Lincoln’s Gettysburg address, “… we take increased devotion to that cause for which they gave the last full measure of devotion… that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom…” The bronze sculptures include the American flag, which is framed by two reliefs – one representing airplanes cued up for take off and the other depicting sailors marching up a gangway . The changing of the guard at Arlington National Cemetery is depicted to the left and the far right depicts the Coast Guard Honor Guard.

Tribute to our Veterans - Montgomery Panel

Montgomery County Panel

Featuring etched, shaded and carved glass images of local importance, the Montgomery County panel includes pictures of two military personnel, Company K from World War I and the two former Silver Spring armories. Classic Glass artisan Rudi Waros meticulously illustrated the provided photographs in preparation for the etching process and then sculpted the images in exacting detail.

Tribute to our Veterans - Carved Glass Detail

The letters included on this panel were sent home by veterans during World War II and provide the viewer a window into Montgomery County’s past. A particular highlight is a letter from General Schwarzkopf to an active duty nurse and recent widow of a fallen soldier from the first Gulf War.

Tribute to our Veterans - Carved Glass Detail

The General applauds the young woman for her continued perseverance in the Army, despite her tragic loss, he goes on to state that she is the epitome of selfless service. The bas reliefs include bronzes honoring the 29th Infantry Division; the Silver Spring train station that transported troops to and from the war effort during World War II; modern military personal heading to war; the Army Honor Guard wearing the shoulder patch and flash of Walter Reed; and the Marine Corps Honor Guard marching.

Tribute to our Veterans - Maryland Panel

Maryland Panel

A quote from General George Washington “Good God what brave fellows I must this day lose,” introduces this panel in honor of Maryland’s veterans. The letters on this panel are from the veterans of the Revolutionary War, the Civil War, World War I and II and the Vietnam War. The bronze sculptures include the Maryland flag, the only state flag that was originally carried as the colors of a regiment; images of two locations where major conflicts took place: Maryland, Ft. Mc Henry (War of 1812) and Burnside Bridge (Battle of Antietam); the Navy Honor Guard at the Naval Academy; and the Airforce Honor Guard.

Antonio Tobias "Toby" Mendez speaking at the dedication ceremony

Classic Glass was honored to contribute its carved glass to compliment Mendez’s bronze sculptural reliefs and the memorial is a fitting final touch to the beautiful Veterans Plaza. If you happen to be in downtown Silver Spring, stop by and take a minute to reflect on the sacrifices that our military personnel make every day.

Veterans Memorial Ceremony