By Judy Clabes
NKyTribune Editor
A “Guardian Angel” bronze sculpture by renowned artist Greg Wyatt, commissioned to honor Ft. Wright’s fallen soldiers, found its home in a beautiful Families of the Fallen Garden at the city building Saturday.
Wyatt, Artist in Residence at St. John the Divine Cathedral in New York City, was on hand for the unveiling, saying that creating the statue was an honor that allowed him to honor the noble work of the nation’s soldiers.
Wyatt’s works are found throughout Europe and at some of the most prestigious museums and universities in the U.S., including “The Price of Freedom” at the Tomb of the Unknown in Arlington National Cemetery.
He also created the bronze sculpture that is a permanent fixture in the Meditation Garden at Dover Air Force Base’s Center for Families of the Fallen. “The Angel and the Dying Unknown” rests atop a pedestal in a circle of brickwork, just as Ft. Wright’s “Guardian Angel” does.
Wyatt said at the time his Dover sculpture was dedicated that all soldiers “have prayed to their guardian angels . . .(and) “The whole idea of a guardian angle providing an inner peace, an inner protection” is extended to the families of the fallen.
When Dan and Fran Lee of Ft. Wright had the terrible duty to meet their son’s flag-draped coffin at Dover, they found such solace in Wyatt’s sculpture that they set out to bring a “Guardian Angel” to their hometown.
The Lees’ son, Special Forces Green Beret SSG Daniel Tyler Lee, was killed in Afghanistan in 2014. He was 28 and on his second tour of duty. He graduated from Dixie Heights High School in 2003.
“A month after Daniel was killed, his father came to a council meeting and asked if we would honor those from the city who have been killed in combat,” said Councilman Scott Wall. “He told us he would like to see something like that sculpture at Dover somewhere in the city of Ft Wright.”
The council agreed, and Wall put in a lot of volunteer hours to see it through.
“We did some research and contacted the artist — and much to our surprise, he agreed to help us.”
Wall said the Newington Cropsey Foundation, which supports Wyatt’s work, agreed to pay for the vast majority of the project.
“To say that we are excited to have an original sculpture from an important international artist permanently displayed in our city, and for such a noble reason is a vast understatement,” Wall said.
The Lee family sees the sculpture and the garden not just as a tribute to their son, but to all those who have made the ultimate sacrifice for their country.
Also recognized with engraved marble markers are two other fallen Fort Wright soldiers, SGT. James Todtenbier and PFC. Carl Mueller.
Speaking at the dedication ceremonies were Fort Wright Mayor Dave Hatter, U.S. Congressman Thomas Massie, State Senator Chris McDaniel, Wyatt, and Fran Lee, Daniel’s mother.
The ceremony concluded with taps, played by Sheriff Chuck Korzenborn and a 21-gun salute.