VETERANS MEMORIAL TO BE UNVEILED SOON
Sculpture will eventually be moved to Colorado 402 at I-25
A new memorial meant to honor local veterans, made by a Loveland bronze studio, will be honored next week in Johnstown.
The Johnstown Veterans Memorial, which has been in the works for several years, is expected to be unveiled and dedicated March 25 at Elwell Elementary School ahead of being moved to its permanent spot on the easternmost roundabout of Colo. 402 over Interstate 25.
The memorial, according to the Johnstown Veterans Memorial LLC website, was created as a joint project with the town of Johnstown and local veteran organizations. The bronze sculpture, created by Carey and Amy Hosterman of the Rocky Mountain
Bronze Shop, depicts a signature symbol used to honor veterans: a soldier’s rifle pointed into a pair of boots topped with a helmet, with an additional bronze American flag alongside it.
A rendering of the sculpture at its final location along Colo. 402 show it standing in the middle of several large rocks, each adorned with the seal of America’s military branches.
Damien Berg, president of the Johnstown Veterans Memorial LLC, said the project started as just an idea around 10 years ago, when a group of local veterans came before the town council and asked that one day a park or place in Johnstown could be dedicated as a veterans park.
He said eventually an opportunity came along when the Colorado Department of Transportation let the town of Johnstown take control of the easternmost roundabout on Colo. 402 at I-25.
Since then the memorial team has set out to help raise the funds to create and place the sculpture, which has resulted in close to $90,000 in donations, both from independent donors to sales of maquette versions of
the finished piece, whose funds were put back into the project.
Carey and Amy Hosterman both said the project has meant a lot to them, especially since some of their family members have served over the years. Amy said one of the greatest parts of creating it was having a friend of theirs, who served in the Marines, come to the studio with his rifle and helmet so they could get a better look while they worked on the piece.
Carey Hosterman added that, during this time, their friend shared a number of stories of his time serving.
“You get a really different perspective and it (brings) out a lot of things through people,” he said. “It is good to get people talking.”
All those who have been part of the process have recognized the memorial as an important addition to the local community.
Berg said the creation of the piece and its placement in a higher traffic area shows how important Johnstown and Northern Colorado residents feel veterans are.
“It represents past, present and future veterans that can honor the ones before us,” he said, later adding “It is one of those iconic symbols that will
stand forever.”
“Honoring our veterans and bringing them to the forefront is something that is embedded in our community culture,” said Jamie Barker, communications manager for Johnstown. “We are a community of people who care.”
While the project has had its share of difficulties, including figuring out the best way to form the bronze flag to go with the piece, it is an incredibly important sculpture, Carey Hosterman said.
“Hopefully people see that … and (realize) people gave a lot for us,” he said. “Hopefully there is a positive that comes out of it for people.”
“It is a wonderful project to share with our community,” Amy Hosterman said.
The town of Johnstown will host a dedication ceremony at 1 p.m. March 25 at Elwell Elementary School, 155 Silverbell Drive. The memorial will eventually be moved to its permanent spot on the easternmost roundabout on Colo. 402 at Interstate 25.
Berg said it is not known precisely when the piece will be moved to its permanent spot because of possible weather issues, but said the hope is to have it moved within the next few months.
More information on the memorial can be found at johnstownveteransmemorial.com.