The public is invited to the 15th annual tribute to Orange County veterans 6:30 p.m. Sunday, May 27 at the Heritage Veterans Memorial Plaza, 3810 M.L. King Drive in Orange. The event is free.
Held annually on the plaza on the campus of Orange First Church of the Nazarene, the program includes special speakers, patriotic music and more.
The event will feature greetings from Scott Stearman, well-known sculptor, communicator and creator of “Tears From A Grateful Heart,” the sculpture that is the focal point of the plaza that includes the names of scores of veterans from Orange County.
Born and raised in the Midwest, Stearman’s early career was in television. He met his wife Hermine while in college in Oklahoma. In 1985, they relocated to Colorado where Scott began his career as a sculptor.
Working in television and film since the 1970s and as a professional sculptor since 1985, Scott approaches his work (scottstearman.com) with an artist’s eye and a sensitive heart; always looking for the truth of the story that many times lies beneath the surface of the obvious.
“I endeavor to create sculpture that connects with the hearts of people and reflects back to them the beauty and dignity of their life, their faith, their mission, and their sacrifice,” he said.
Stearman was recently recognized as a finalist for the John Maxwell Leadership Award. His commissioned military monuments and faith sculptures are found at universities and in communities across America. Scott’s many portrait sculptures include projects featuring James Dobson, Ben Carson, Elizabeth Dole, Kirk Cameron, Truitt Cathy, Ravi Zacharias, and many others.
He has served as the video director for concerts by Charlie Daniels, Ricky Skaggs, Glenn Campbell, Sean Hannity, Michael W. Smith, and the Gaither Homecoming Tour.
“Everyone has a story,” he said. “To identify the noble character of a person or organization and make it known to a watching world raises their esteem and asks them to look at life through a fresh lens. I often encounter stories of the unsung; the silent servants who offer the best of their labor to their church, communities, or country.”
Of monuments he said “Bronze sculpture outlives us all, telling its story, speaking its truth, ‘tirelessly asking the future to pause and remember.’ “
The patriotic tribute will honor all veterans and those currently serving in the military. The program will also feature the Southeast Texas Color Guard, Patriot Riders Motorcycle Group, Community Band of Southeast Texas and other patriotic music. Complimentary refreshments will be served after the program.
Inscribed on plaques incorporated into the plaza are the names of airmen, sailors, soldiers and marines as well as veterans of the U.S. Coast Guard and Merchant Marines.
Also featured in the plaza is the ship’s bell from the U.S.S. Dyson. Built in Orange, the U.S.S. Dyson went on to earn the Presidential Unit Citation and 11 battle stars for World War II service.
For more information, call (409) 883-4674.
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