Washington, D.C
National World War I monument made in Englewood is unveiled in Washington D.C.
‘A Soldier’s Journey,’ the centerpiece of the nation’s World War I monument, was five years in the making in New Jersey by artist Sabin Howard
Timelapse: National WWI Monument being made in Englewood
Timelaspe: Master Sculptor Sabin Howard and his team assemble one of the panels of the National WWI Monument which is to be unveiled in Washington DC.
Tariq Zehawi, NorthJersey.com
With candles glowing and trumpets blowing, in a ceremony that combined stirring music and somber reflection, America’s World War I memorial was officially dedicated Friday night in Washington, D.C.
“The greats of the Italian Renaissance and their lineage played forward to create excellence in this memorial, and I know they are watching tonight,” said Sabin Howard, who assembled the mammoth bronze frieze over a four-year period in a 5,000-square-foot studio in Englewood.
He was speaking to the crowd of about 1,000 military veterans, politicians and the lay public, gathered at the recently created National World War I Memorial Urban Park — formerly Pershing Park — abutting the Federal Triangle in downtown Washington.
“This memorial is like a wedding ring,” said Joseph Weishaar, the architect of the project. “It is a symbol honor and fidelity and commitment that has remained vibrant for nearly a century between the nation and the men who served in the first world war.”
“A Soldier’s Journey,” the centerpiece of the nation’s World War I monument is a sculpture that tells a story.
So it was fitting that sculptor himself should be on hand, to narrate.
“This is a story of what happens to one family and one soldier when he enters into service for his country.” Howard said in a recorded narration during the presentation. “The soldier is an allegory for the United States. It explains the hero’s journey through World War I.”
In the presentation, called “First Light,” the crowd was taken, panel by panel, left to right, through the 58-foot long, 10-foot high bronze frieze.
As first one section and then another lit up, Howard — his recorded voice — told the story. The father, being handed a helmet by his little daughter, going off to war. The soldier, now one among many, in an agonizing tableau of bayonets and bombs, with fellow doughboys screaming and nurses caring for the wounded. And finally — in the last panel — the returning civilian handing the helmet back to his little daughter.
Then, after the crowd had a good look, sequentially, at the 38 figures, all the lights went up. And there it was, all complete: “A Soldier’s Journey,” dedicated on General John J. “Black Jack” Pershing’s 164th birthday, and the new main attraction in what used to be called Pershing Park on 11th Street.
It is now the National World War I Memorial Urban Park — the $40 million project of the World War I Centennial Commission (the war ended Nov. 11, 1918) and paid for largely through donations.
An appropriate setting
The sculpture itself, the largest freestanding bronze relief in the western hemisphere according to Howard, is just part of the project.
The whole square has been re-landscaped, with fountains, a reflecting pool, and berms on three sides to dampen the traffic noise and create a quiet atmosphere for contemplation. An existing statue of General Pershing by Robert White (grandson of architect Stanford White), on site since 1983, has been worked into the new scheme.
“It’s a very serene place,” said Joseph Weishaar, the architect of the park. “Especially with the fountains going. You have the roar of the water, evocative of the sounds of war.”
Memorials: North Jersey Sept. 11 memorial events remember those lost 23 years ago
It was Weishaar, winner of a design contest by the Centennial Commission for his submission “The Weight of Sacrifice,” who brought Howard on board as his sculptor of choice.
“His accomplishment is one of amazing craft,” Weishaar said. “I don’t think it’s rivalled anywhere. My role is like a jeweler making a ring. I made the ring. But Sabin is the diamond. The sculpture is the diamond. That’s the piece that everybody is going to be wowed about.”
On the reverse side of the tableau is inscribed part of a poem by Archibald MacLeish:
“Whether our lives and our deaths were for peace and a new hope
or for nothing we cannot say; it is you who must say this.
They say: We leave you our deaths. Give them their meaning.
We were young, they say. We died. Remember us.”
Howard’s sculpture, like this verse, is not jingoistic. But neither is it cynical. It invites viewers to ponder the first modern war, the “war to end all wars” that killed 116,516 Americans (40 million worldwide) in a global cataclysm that was viewed by many afterwards as a tragic, senseless waste.
“As an artist, I’m very anti-war,” Howard said. “I didn’t make a sculpture about the glorification of war. I made a sculpture about human beings that are there in a very noble and heroic act of being in service to one’s country. This is their story. It’s to honor them. And I’ve had hundreds of letters from military families saying thank you, finally, for acknowledging us. The cool part is, they’re saying thank you for your service.”
That was, in its way, heroic too.
A long term project
For five years, Howard, his assistant Charlie Mostow, and a handful of others put in long days in the Englewood studio. For hours on end, models posed, Howard sculpted, and his wife, filmmaker Traci Slatton Howard, documented.
One by one, Styrofoam “maquettes” were covered with clay to create the figures, which were then transferred through a silicon mold to wax, which in turn became the ceramic shell. These were sent over to England to be cast in bronze. For the last month, on and off, Howard has been on-site in Washington D.C., supervising as the pieces were put in place with cranes, in the setting that Weishaar created for them.
“The reassembly was incredible,” he said. “Four panels, 38 figures, and everything has to fit. If it doesn’t, what are you going to do — chop away the stone or something?”
“A Soldier’s Journey” is a monument, in more than one sense.
To all the soldiers and civilians who served and died in World War I, certainly. More, to all soldiers, in all wars (veterans of the Iraq and Afghanistan wars served as models).
But additionally, it’s a monument to an idea: Sabin Howard’s fervent belief that modern America needs a public, neo-classical art. An art that unifies rather than divides. An art that can ennoble our squares and promenades, the way Michelangelo’s and Donatello’s sculptures adorned the piazzas of Florence.
“In the Renaissance, they used to make sculptures like the David, and they would put it in the square,” said Howard, who trained in Italy and at the Philadelphia College of Art (now the University of the Arts).
Such art, he said, uplifted. “It was a symbol of rising to the occasion, as a nation, and on a citizen level,” he said. “This is the exact same damn thing. I made a sculpture with 38 figures that shows a tapestry of the United States and its variety, with women, children, Democrats, Republicans, all under one flag as Americans. We are one unified country. That’s what the sculpture is.”
African Americans, Asians and Native Americans are included among the figures (though Howard takes the liberty of showing Black soldiers fighting alongside whites; the U.S. army was then segregated).
“This is something that brings us together,” Howard said. “Most modern art brings us apart.”
Aftermath of war
Ironically, it was World War I itself, and the ensuing cynicism about war and sacrifice, that gave rise to the iconoclastic modern art movements that dominated Western culture for the last 100 years. With “A Soldier’s Journey,” Howard wants to use that same war as a jumping off place, to bring the heroic back to art. “This is an American cultural renaissance,” he said.
His next project is also in that vein: an “American Exceptionalism Arch” project in Dallas, which will probably be completed 10 years from now. It too, will uplift and ennoble. “It’s another epic sculpture, which this many figures and this amount of story,” he said.
One thing he says he learned from working with veterans during the World War I project: the notion of being “in service of.”
“I feel that my work is in service to something greater than myself,” he said. “That’s what I’m so excited about.”
The family of a 25-year-old man who was shot and killed by a D.C. police officer last week is questioning the officer’s tactics and training after viewing the body camera video.
David Warren Childs, of Northeast D.C., was shot the night of Nov. 17 after police say he refused to obey the officer’s commands and appeared to reach for a firearm in his waistband. It happened near the Deanwood Metro station.
The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) says officers spotted Childs with a gun in his waistband and gave chase.
The body-worn camera video released by police this week doesn’t show the initial interaction. It begins in the middle of a foot pursuit that ended outside an apartment building on 47th Place NE.
It’s very hard to tell from the video, but the officer — who had Childs at gunpoint standing between a fence and the building — was without backup and alone for one minute and 23 seconds before the officer opened fire.
The video shows the moment the officer cornered Childs and said, “I’m gonna shoot you.”
“Why wasn’t the matter de-escalated?” Childs’ cousin Da’jon Mason asked. “If it’s the law enforcement’s job to de-escalate matters, why wasn’t the situation de-escalated? If you had 10 to 15 officers out here, why was there no other officer present to assist in the matter to de-escalate the situation? Why did you continue to escalate the situation, threatening to continuously shoot someone when they are telling you, ‘Don’t shoot me’?”
As soon as Childs was cornered near the fence line, the officer apparently got on the radio and said, “One at gunpoint” and “behind the building.”
“The officer used great restraint, gave multiple commands, multiple commands asking the subject to please, to raise his hands and not to reach for the firearm, and for some reason the subject did not obey those commands and reached for his firearm,” Executive Assistant Police Chief Andre Wright said.
It’s difficult to see on the video, but police say Childs moved his left hand toward his waistband and that’s when the officer opened fire.
After the shooting, other officers arrived and began to render first aid to Childs.
Police say this is the weapon Childs had in his waistband.
“The point where he was saying, ‘You know what, OK, if this is how it’s going to go, then do it,’ when we are the same amount of distance that we are now in this conversation, you could have taken him down,” Mason said. “You didn’t have to keep the gun pointed at him. You could have holstered your weapon and proceeded to take him down. You could have tased him. You could have used OC [pepper] spray.”
D.C. police declined to comment on the family’s concerns and referred News4 to the statement the police department made when the body camera video was released.
MPD said in a Nov. 18 news release in part: “The involved members have been placed on administrative leave, pursuant to MPD policy.”
The Internal Affairs Bureau’s Force Investigations Team is investigating the shooting, according to MPD.
“The United States Attorney’s Office will independently review the facts and evidence in the case,” MPD said.
BELLINGHAM, Wash. – The suspect accused of shooting two National Guard members in Washington, D.C., was identified as an Afghan national who lived in Bellingham, Washington.
What we know:
On Wednesday, the suspect, later identified as Rahmanullah Lakanwal, opened fire on two National Guard members just blocks away from the White House. The West Virginia service members, 20-year-old Sarah Beckstrom and 24-year-old Air Force Staff Sergeant Andrew Wolfe, were both sworn in less than 24 hours before the attack.
National Guard member Sarah Beckstrom dies after Washington, D.C. shooting
On Thursday, President Trump revealed that Sarah Beckstrom had died. Wolfe remains in critical condition.
Washington, D.C. shooting suspect’s ties to the CIA
Dig deeper:
Authorities say Lakanwal entered the United States in September 2021 under humanitarian parole as part of the Biden administration’s Operation Allies Welcome in the aftermath of the country’s withdrawal from Afghanistan.
Lakanwal was part of a CIA-associated unit in Kandahar, Afghanistan. Officials say these units were highly trusted by the CIA and played crucial roles in operations against the Taliban.
From Wednesday night into Thanksgiving morning, the FBI and federal agents executed search warrants at his home in Bellingham, Washington, where he lived with his wife and five children. Investigators seized electronic devices including laptops, cellphones and iPads as the case expands into a coast-to-coast investigation.
“All the individuals found in that house have been interviewed, and some interviews remain ongoing,” said FBI Director Kash Patel. “We will not stop until we interview anyone and everyone associated with the subject, the house and every piece of his life.”
The Seattle FBI office says it is assisting the Washington office but declined to comment further.
Bellingham, WA officials respond to D.C. shooting suspect’s investigation
What they’re saying:
Bellingham’s police chief says the department immediately stepped in to support federal investigators.
“Our hearts are heavy for the two West Virginia National Guard members who were shot while on active duty yesterday in Washington D.C.,” said Bellingham Police Department Chief Rebecca Mertzig. “We stand with them, their loved ones, and all the National Guard members across the nation.
“Violence like this is horrific and unacceptable. As soon as I was notified of the situation, investigation and the possible connection to Bellingham, I called our local FBI partners to offer Bellingham Police Department’s assistance with their criminal investigation of this case. We are closely monitoring the situation for any updates.
“People who serve and protect our communities, like the two wounded West Virginia National Guard members, represent the best of what we strive for, and we honor their service, sacrifice, and courage.”
Bellingham Mayor Kim Lund also says the city is actively coordinating with investigators.
“It takes courage to say yes to the job of protecting fellow community members and protecting our country. We honor the courage of the two National Guard members who were wounded in service yesterday. There is no excuse for the heinous, violent attack they suffered.
“We are holding them and their loved ones in our hearts today, wishing them a full return to health.
“As mayor of Bellingham, I am directing local resources to be ready to support the FBI’s investigation. We share the resolve to see justice and accountability for this violent attack.
“The terrible actions committed in Washington, D.C. yesterday are the actions of one person, not a community. They don’t represent Bellingham’s values. They don’t reflect the values of either Washington. They don’t represent what makes our communities great.”
FOX 13 Reporter Alejandra Guzman spoke to some neighbors living near the suspect’s home.
“It’s less than 50 feet away from my apartment, so it kind of scares me,” said Bill Beveridge. “Who knows what can actually happen after this.”
Big picture view:
The shooting came a week after a federal judge ordered an end to the National Guard deployment in the Washington, D.C., area. President Trump has since ordered 500 additional National Guard members to the capital.
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services Director Joseph B. Edlow has directed a full-scale, rigorous reexamination of every green card issued to immigrants from countries of concern at the direction of President Trump.
The Afghan American Cultural Association, a nonprofit, non-political community-based organization registered in Washington state, released the following statement:
“We are deeply saddened and outraged by the tragic incident in Washington, D.C., where an Afghan national shot two National Guard service members. As an organization representing Afghan Americans across Washington State, we strongly and unequivocally condemn this heinous and cowardly act. There is no justification for violence against those who protect and serve our communities.
Our thoughts, prayers, and unwavering support are with the injured National Guard troops and their families. We stand shoulder-to-shoulder with them during this difficult moment and pray for their full and speedy recovery.
At the same time, we must be clear: one person’s actions do not define an entire community. Afghan Americans have built lives here grounded in safety, hard work, and service. Many of us came to the United States precisely because we fled war, extremism, and instability. We left everything behind to pursue a future rooted in peace, dignity, and opportunity.
We remain fully committed to the safety, unity, and progress of the United States, the nation that welcomed us and gave us a chance to rebuild. Afghan Americans are teachers, soldiers, doctors, business owners, neighbors, and taxpayers who contribute to the growth and resilience of this great country every single day.
We stand for peace. We stand for accountability. We stand with America.”
This is a developing story. Check back for updates.
The Source: Information in this story came from original reporting by FOX 13 Seattle, reporting by FOX News Digital, the Associated Press and officials in Bellingham, Washington.
MORE NEWS FROM FOX 13 SEATTLE
Thanksgiving holiday travel underway at SEA Airport, could be record-setting travel season nationwide
WA dirt biker falls down cliff during photograph, airlifted to Tacoma hospital
Person killed after falling onto barge in Duwamish River in Seattle
Pierce County, WA mom credits heart monitor for helping save her life from rare condition
Who is Katie Wilson? A look at Seattle’s next mayor
‘Speechless’: Tacoma, WA aid group braces for SNAP surge as requirements tighten
How to watch Seattle Mariners games in 2026 after ROOT sports shuts down
To get the best local news, weather and sports in Seattle for free, sign up for the daily FOX Seattle Newsletter.
Download the free FOX LOCAL app for mobile in the Apple App Store or Google Play Store for live Seattle news, top stories, weather updates and more local and national news.
The suspected shooter of two national guard members in Washington DC on Wednesday worked with CIA-backed military units during the US war in Afghanistan, the agency has confirmed.
The alleged gunman, identified as Rahmanullah Lakanwal, 29, came to the US in September 2021 under an Operation Allies Welcome program that gave some Afghans who had worked for the US government entry visas to the US.
Lakanwal’s ties to the Central Intelligence Agency, which worked alongside US special forces in Afghanistan, were confirmed by the CIA director, John Ratcliffe, to media outlets on Wednesday evening.
The New York Times reported that the shooting suspect had worked for several US government agencies in Afghanistan, including a CIA-backed unit in the southern province of Kandahar, a stronghold of the Taliban.
“The Biden administration justified bringing the alleged shooter to the United States in September 2021 due to his prior work with the US government, including CIA,” Ratcliffe told Fox News digital, adding that Lakanwal’s involvement with the agency was “as a member of a partner force in Kandahar, which ended shortly following the chaotic evacuation”.
US Citizenship and Immigration Services said after the shooting that it has stopped processing residency applications from Afghan nationals.
“Effective immediately, processing of all immigration requests relating to Afghan nationals is stopped indefinitely pending further review of security and vetting protocols,” the agency said on social media.
Following the shooting, Donald Trump ordered 500 additional national guard troops to Washington. The president described the shooting as an “act of terror” and called immigration “the single greatest national security threat facing our nation”.
Film Review: Zootopia 2 – SLUG Magazine
Consumers should do their research before giving in to Travel Tuesday temptation
Video: Meet the Theremin, an Instrument You Don’t Have to Touch to Play
Video: Do You Know These Black Friday Facts?
‘Left-Handed Girl’ takes on quiet shame across generations in Taipei
Florida High School Football Rankings: Top 25 teams – Oct. 21
Cleary's 21 help Le Moyne down Central Connecticut State 69-64 in OT
How old is Bo Nix? What to know about Oregon quarterback ahead of 2024 NFL Draft
99th annual Pony Swim held in Virginia
Video: ‘It Didn’t Have to Happen This Way:’ U.Va. Faculty Call for Review of Police Response to Protests
Video: Meet the Theremin, an Instrument You Don’t Have to Touch to Play
USCIS halts ‘all asylum decisions’ after DC shooting of National Guard members
Hong Kong mourns victims of blaze as search for remains continues
How a solar explosion grounded 6,000 Airbus planes globally
Video: National Guard Member Dies After Shooting Near White House
-
Science7 days agoWashington state resident dies of new H5N5 form of bird flu
-
World1 week agoZelenskiy meets Turkish president as word emerges of new US peace push
-
Business4 days agoStruggling Six Flags names new CEO. What does that mean for Knott’s and Magic Mountain?
-
New York1 week agoDriver Who Killed Mother and Daughters Sentenced to 3 to 9 Years
-
World1 week agoUnclear numbers: What we know about Italian military aid to Ukraine
-
Politics2 days agoRep. Swalwell’s suit alleges abuse of power, adds to scrutiny of Trump official’s mortgage probes
-
Politics1 week agoMamdani keeps Jessica Tisch as NYPD commissioner
-
Science1 week agoRising Home Insurance Premiums Are Eating Into Home Values in Disaster-Prone Areas