“I created this sculpture to honour the courage of these men:
Sons, husbands and fathers, who endangered and often sacrificed their lives in the hope of freeing the French people.”
Les Braves II: At Water’s Edge Dedication
Thursday, May 25
Grounds Open at 5:30pm
Dedication Ceremony at 6:30pm
On Thursday, May 25, we welcome the community to join us on the backlawn of The War Memorial for a celebration and the unveiling of Les Braves II: At Water’s Edge — the official twin of the original Les Braves sculpture in Normandy, France sculpted as a lasting tribute to the western Allies that landed on Omaha Beach on June 6, 1944 during World War II.
This event is free and open to the public and will feature words from the sculpture artist, Anilore Banon, remarks from Professor Greg Jackson, the splendor and fanfare of The U.S. Army Pershing’s Own Herald Trumpets, and a blow out concert by the Dave Bennett Band to round out the celebration.
Thursday, May 25, 2023
5:30pm: Grounds open - bring your chairs and blankets, seating will be on the lawn outside
6:30pm: Dedication Ceremony begins
Free and open to the public
Pre-registration is requested.
A full cash bar, including water, a variety of sodas, beer, wine, and liquor, will be available throughout the evening. Food trucks will also be on site.
By Michigan law, no outside alcoholic beverages may be brought onto campus.
Outside food is permitted.
About Les Braves II: At Water’s Edge
Les Braves II: At Water’s Edge will be dedicated at The War Memorial, home of the Fred M. Alger Center at The War Memorial, on May 25. The 50-foot-wide and 25-foot-tall sculpture is the official twin of the original Les Braves in Normandy, France — located in the Vierville-sur-Mer on Omaha Beach at the junction of dog red and easy green sectors. Originally created for the 60th anniversary of the D-Day invasion and sculpted by French artist Anilore Banon, the three stainless steel wings and towers stand proudly as a lasting tribute to the western Allies that landed on Omaha Beach on June 6, 1944 during World War II.
Les Braves II consists of three thematic elements:
The Wings of Hope
So that the spirit which carried these men on June 6, 1944 continues to inspire us, reminding us that together it is always possible to change the future.Rise, Freedom!
So that the example of those who rose against barbarity, help us remain standing strong against all forms of inhumanity.The Wings of Fraternity
So that this surge of brotherhood always reminds us of our responsibility towards others as well as ourselves.
To learn more and view additional images and renderings of Les Braves II: At Water’s Edge visit: https://www.warmemorial.org/lesbraves.
About The U.S. Army Herald Trumpets
The U.S. Army Herald Trumpets are the Official Fanfare Ensemble to The President of The United States. Founded in 1959, The U.S. Army Herald Trumpets were formed to add splendor to official military ceremonies. Patterned after traditional British fanfare trumpet ensembles, the group provides musical support for the leadership of the United States, to include all branches of government, and to a wide spectrum of national and international events in order to connect the Army to the American people.
The U.S. Army Band “Pershing’s Own” was formed on January 25, 1922 by order of General John J. Pershing: “You will organize and equip The Army Band.” General Pershing believed that bands played a vital role in troop morale and efficiency and was convinced that America needed a premier band to surpass those of Europe.
About Anilore Banon
Artist Anilore Banon celebrates the vital energy and fights inaction and immobilism with monumental sculptures made alive by natural elements and sites. She works metal, from steel to most-futuristic material, in a permanent will to provide life to her artworks. Banon tells of the immense power to change one’s destiny and mutate the impossible. The vital energies that she consistently works at connecting feed her artistic odyssey.
She has lived in places like the United States and Italy. Her journey has taken her to China, South Africa, and the North Pole. Banon now works and live in Paris, France where she installed her studio in an old forge, like a blacksmith's workshop.
A future-oriented artist, Banon’s currently working on an unprecedented art and science project, celebrating a gathered humanity: Vitae Project, will feature one million hands engraved on a deployable sculpture. Banon chose for a magic and universal site for the permanent installation of the sculpture — the Moon.
About Greg Jackson
Professor Greg Jackson is best known as the creator, host, and head writer of the US history podcast, History That Doesn't Suck. He has also appeared on History Channel documentaries, other major history podcasts, radio, and served as a historical consultant for the podcast, American Elections: Wicked Game.
Jackson is an Associate Professor & Senior Fellow at the Center for National Security Studies and Fellow of Integrated Studies at Utah Valley University, where he teaches courses in National Security Studies and Integrated Studies. He was a Burton Scholar and earned his Ph.D. in History from the University of Utah. Jackson also holds an M.A. in French Studies and B.A. in History from Brigham Young University.
About Dave Bennett
You don’t find many jazz clarinet players like Dave Bennett who name Alice Cooper, Stevie Ray Vaughan, and Chris Isaak among their influences. You won’t find many musicians who are equally conversant with the music of Benny Goodman (the “King of Swing”) and Roy Orbison (“The Soul of Rock and Roll”). In fact, you may not find even one other clarinet virtuoso who breaks from his Swing Era repertoire to sing rockabilly hits while accompanying himself at the piano or electric guitar. In the early days of jazz, the clarinet joined with trumpet and trombone to create the music’s signature sound, and it ruled the roost in the Swing Era when jazz was America’s popular music and dance-party soundtrack. If anyone can return the clarinet to its heyday, it’s Bennett, who fuses serious jazz improvisation with a host of modern pop influences.
Bennett has been a featured soloist at Carnegie Hall with The New York Pops and has been featured with 35 other U.S. and Canadian orchestras. Some of his annual appearances include The Elkhart Jazz Festival, The Suncoast Classic Jazz Festival, The Arizona Classic Jazz Festival, The Sacramento Hot Jazz Jubilee, The Clambake Music Festival, and The Redwood Coast Music Festival.
We are grateful for the generous in kind donations from our event partners:
