The octagon-shaped Texas Capitol Vietnam Monument, scheduled to be dedicated in May 2010 on the grounds of the state Capitol in Austin, will be about 14 feet high, 9½ feet deep and 12½ feet long. The five figures on the top will each be a larger-than-life 7 feet tall.

 

The base will be made of “Sunset Red” granite, the material used to build the state Capitol. The bas-relief work, attached to the sides of the base, will be in cast bronze, as will the centerpiece sculptures of five soldiers.

 

The five “infantry grunts” to be depicted in the larger-than-life-size sculptures are:

 

A Native American radio man

A Hispanic scout sniper

A Caucasian infantry rocket man

An African-American corpsman

A wounded South Vietnamese Marine grenadier

 

The bas-relief scenes will illustrate the various military branches and the Vietnamese culture.

 

The monument will be situated on the east side of the Capitol among statues and memorials honoring veterans who fought at the Alamo and in the War Between the States, the Spanish-American War, World War I, World War II and the Korean War. It will be the first monument on the Capitol grounds to reflect the racial diversity of Texas’ culture. The area around the monument will be paved, allowing full access for people who use wheelchairs or walkers.

 

Creation of the monument is in the talented hands of Duke Sundt, renowned New Mexico sculptor.