New Veterans Monument Unveiled

Veterans attending the ceremony

Bellevue College leadership unveiled a new, permanent sculpture on the main campus Thursday, December 5, 2013, honoring American service men and women.

Bellevue College President, David Rule, Marie Gunn, chair of the Board of Trustees, faculty artist, Ross Brown, and Aaron Malec, Bellevue College Association of Veterans president, each spoke briefly to the students, faculty, staff, and community members in attendance on the impact and importance of honoring veterans prior to the unveiling.

“This important monument is one way of honoring and remembering all who have served and those who continue to serve in the United States Armed Forces,” said President Rule.

Bellevue College veterans monumentThe Bellevue College Association of Veterans (BCAV), a student program dedicated to serve and help student veterans succeed in their higher-education endeavors, first put forward the proposal to create a monument on campus honoring veterans in 2012. Final design approval and construction began over the summer of 2013.

“By accepting BCAV’s monument proposal and funding the project, Bellevue College is showing its continued commitment to recognizing its veteran campus population and is a symbol of the college’s commitment of helping its veteran students succeed in their educational goals,” said Wesley Jones, Veterans Career Advancement Program Manager.

The 600+ pound cast bronze piece, designed and forged by Bellevue College faculty member Ross Brown, is mounted on a basalt column and was inspired by conversations Brown held with veterans both on and off campus. The boots represent the service to our country with the book representing the roll of veterans the college has supported in their transition from soldier to citizen.

“The monument was placed in a very central and visible location on campus and is a reflection of the visibility of the colleges’ veteran population,” said Jones. “It is just one of many steps the college has taken, and is continuing to take, in its long-term commitment of being a veteran supportive campus.”

– by Evan Epstein

Last Updated October 3, 2016