Be The Light
Veteran’s Memorial Park – Sandy Springs, Georgia
To give one’s life in war is the ultimate, irretrievable gift to our country. Be The Light is a sculptural expression of the internal and external battles that many combat veterans continue to endure, a reflection of the timeless struggle between good and evil.
An anonymous inscription on the Revolutionary War memorial in Philadelphia states, “Freedom is a light for which many men have died in darkness,” Be The Light seeks to make visible the weight of that truth. It serves as a reminder that the choices we make, individually and collectively, shape the world around us, a world constantly in flux, in a state of becoming. Those who serve in our military understand this deeply. They know that if darkness prevails, the freedoms we cherish may cease to exist.
Fire, like sacrifice, is eternal. When one flame is extinguished, another rises. Fire is also a symbol of strength and heroism; iron is forged in the hottest flames. In this way, Be The Light embodies both endurance and transformation. It represents the resilient soul of humanity, encouraging all who pass by to live by the principle of doing for others as unto oneself. This is a living lesson in the golden rule, one that every service member understands at their core: Be The Light, because I know the cost if I am not.
