This special editorial was written by Gary Michaud, project manager for the Fremont County Veterans Memorial, which is fiscally sponsored by the WYCF



It all started several years ago with a man.  An idea.  And a dream.

He wanted to honor Fremont County Veterans who bravely served our country.  But how?  A memorial would be most befitting but it would take too much time and besides where would he find the money?

But that didn’t stop this man.  After all, as a veteran himself, he was trained to be mentally tough and to find some way, any way, to accomplish his mission.  He pushed all doubt from his mind, rolled up his sleeves, and bit by bit began working on a dedication to all Fremont County Veterans. 

After several years and much fortitude, Trinidad Hererra’s idea began picking up momentum as veterans and non-veterans alike realized the magnitude and importance of honoring our veterans of foreign wars, especially those that had fallen in the line of duty. 

Then, a solid concept for the memorial was developed, and Wyoming Congressional Representative Barbara Cubin helped secure federal funds to supplement local funds for the memorial.  And then, in 2006, the memorial was constructed and completed except for the capstone bronze statue.

This sculpture would be a 9 foot tall bronze statue by Dubois artist John Phelps.  Designed from a picture of his son in a WWII uniform, the statue would represent all Fremont County Veterans.  Tragically, after the veterans’ memorial committee selected the statue, Phelps son, our own courageous Lance Corporal Chance Phelps, was killed while bravely serving our country in Iraq.

In the fall of 2009, the Mayors and Commissioners of Fremont County helped spearhead the fundraising of $35,000 to purchase the Chance Phelps statue.  After six months of grass roots fundraising efforts and a generous contribution from the Fremont County Commissioners, the statue has been ordered.  It is going to take about a year to complete the statue, which will be cast right here in Fremont County by Eagle Bronze Foundry and a public ceremony will be held to celebrate its completion.

One of the more touching fundraising contributions was from the students of Northside Elementary School in Lander.  These young go-getters raised over $500 during a penny drive – that is over 50,000 pennies!

I would sincerely like to thank everyone for your contributions both to the statue and the memorial.  I would especially like to thank Trinidad Hererra for making this memorial a reality, the Wyoming Community Foundation for sponsoring this initiative, Fremont County Commissioners, all the volunteers, the local radio stations, and the Lander Journal/Riverton Ranger for their support in promoting the project.

But most importantly thanks to all the veterans and their families who have served our country so courageously and troops today who continue today to sacrifice so much.

This very meaningful and important county-wide project is almost complete.  It all started with a man and a dream.  I hope future generations will learn from the memorial and recognize the tremendous sacrifices made for the freedoms we enjoy today.  And if called upon I hope they, too, will have the courage to step up to defend our freedoms.  God Bless America!