A 4 1/2-foot tall bronze sculpture of a soldier kneeling where a comrade made the ultimate sacrifice in battle made its debut at the Oregon Trails State Veterans Cemetery in Evansville on Friday.
The soldier has his left hand on top a helmet resting on the fellow soldier’s planted weapon. His right hand holds his own rifle.
The scene depicts the “Battle Cross” or “Soldier’s Cross” and includes a soldier’s rifle, boots, and helmet as a memorial marker.
Wyoming artist Chris Navarro characterized his 42nd public art project “Fallen Comrade” as “personal” for him as he addressed the 50 people gathered for its unveiling in a little square in front of the cemetery’s chapel.
“It’s special because of all the ties my family has to the military,” Navarro said, noting he was raised on U.S. Air Force bases around the world due to his father’s role as a pilot. His brother Herb Navarro, a retired U.S. Army helicopter pilot, was on hand from Arizona representing veterans who served in the Persian Gulf War.
Cemetery Director Darrin Brahaney said the Wyoming Military Department had a vision for a statue in 2019 that would honor veterans and what they sacrificed. He said when they put out the proposal Navarro responded and brought his concepts to the project.
“We gave Chris our vision last July and he took that vision and put his own touches to it and he had a very short window to get this done,” Brahaney said.
Brahaney said the statue was being unveiled Friday because Aug. 7 is Purple Heart Day. The Purple Heart is the nation’s oldest medal and is given to service members killed and wounded in battle during war.
Navarro said he was thankful to have his brother present for the unveiling and knew that his late dad, Lt. Col. Herbert Navarro, a longtime Air Force pilot, and late brother Rick, a U.S. Naval Academy graduate who few P3 Orion Aircraft, would be proud.
“Fallen Comrade is not about one soldier or one branch of service or one war,” he said. “It represents all of them. It represents the men and women who raised their right hand and made a commitment to something greater than themselves.”
Herb Navarro and Cecil Barnes salute the statue as it is unveiled. (Dale Killingbeck, Cowboy State Daily) 
World War II veteran William McMillan, left, and Korean War veteran Cecil Barnes were on hand to help unveil the sculpture, titled "Fallen Comrade." (Dale Killingbeck, Cowboy State Daily) 
Casper artist Chris Navarro told the crowd that the project was special for him due to his military family and growing up on U.S. Air Force bases. (Dale Killingbeck, Cowboy State Daily) 
About 50 people were present for the unveiling of “Fallen Comrade.” (Dale Killingbeck, Cowboy State Daily)
A Reminder To Remember
Navarro said he hopes everyone who encounters the sculpture will stop for a moment and remember the sacrifice, courage, and remember the families who remain behind because of the sacrifice.
In addition to Herb Navarro, other veterans helping to remove the covering on the statue were Casper World War II U.S. Navy veteran William McMillan, Korean War veteran Cecil Barnes, Vietnam veteran Barry Gasdek, and Kelly Ivanoff, a veteran of the Global War on Terrorism.
After the unveiling, Chris Navarro pointed out that the dog tags hanging from the rifle of the fallen did not carry a name but a message: “All gave some, and some gave all.”
Herb Navarro told the crowd that before traveling from Arizona he found his dad’s dog tags from the Korean War and would put them on the sculpture for the rest of the day to honor him.
“They’re pretty interesting dog tags because they say 'T-50’ on them,” he said. “That represents the year you got your tetanus shot.”
Herb Navarro said seeing the bronze placed at the cemetery reminded him of scenes he witnessed during trips to Arlington National Cemetery for funerals.
“It’s a cool sculpture, for sure,” he said.
Chris Navarro said he was thankful his brother was able to be present for the unveiling and pleased with the sculpture. It will be set on a pedestal so when people approach it, it will be at eye level.
The artist said the sculpture is his sixth public art installation in a year and his 18th in Casper.
“I’ve been doing it professionally for 40 years and I want to do 50 (art installations) before they throw dirt on me,” he said.
‘Fantastic’ Gift
Gasdek called the sculpture a “fantastic” gift from the Wyoming Military Department and Navarro to honor “fallen warriors and those who served.”
He said unveiling the sculpture on Purple Heart Day seemed appropriate.
“I just thank them for going one step beyond in their service to take care of our vets to let them know that their service is appreciated,” he said. “You can honor them while they are living and even when they are deceased.”
The sculpture, which is 125% of life size, was cast at Eagle Bronze in Lander.
Chris Navarro said he hopes people interact with, kneel beside or put their arm around the sculpture.
“A lot of monumental bronze you can’t walk around them and touch them, but this one is going to be that way,” he said.
Dale Killingbeck can be reached at dale@cowboystatedaily.com.
