Kentucky Medal of Honor Memorial sculpture by Doyle Glass bronze sculptor Letter from Russ Maple

State of Kentucky

OFFICE OF THE COUNTY COMMISSIONER JEFFERSON COUNTY, KENTUCKY

RUSS MAPLE
"A" District Commissioner OFFICE OF THE COUNTY COMMISSIONER
JEFFERSON COUNTY, KENTUCKY 527 W. Jefferson Street
Louisville, Kentucky 40202
(502) 574-5754
fax (502) 574-6882

Dear Friend:

The development of the Kentucky Medal of Honor Memorial has been one of the most rewarding projects of my career. It also was among the most challenging, for there is no monument large enough, no memorial grand enough, no event spectacular enough to acknowledge the heroism displayed by those Americans who have received the Medal of Honor.
Sculptor Doyle Glass proposed to me in late 2000 the idea of a Kentucky Medal of Honor Memorial to commemorate Kentucky’s Medal of Honor recipients. Doyle created a prototype for the statue and told me the story of John Squires. Squires, the subject of the memorial, was a 19 year old Louisville native who earned the Medal of Honor during World War II. I served in the 82nd Airborne Division of the U.S. Army and the U.S. Air Force. I knew the significance of the Medal of Honor and the sacrifice made to our country by those individuals who earned it. I volunteered to raise the $75,000 needed to develop the Memorial and organized a committee to make it a reality.
As I raised the funds needed, Doyle began work on the six foot statue of John Squires that would be the centerpiece of the Memorial. Doyle worked diligently and professionally, completing the statue a full six weeks before his deadline. In addition, Doyle’s commitments to artistic excellence and historical accuracy have made the Memorial a compelling piece of artwork.
The Kentucky Medal of Honor Memorial was dedicated on November 12, 2001, the day after Veteran’s Day. Two Kentucky recipients of the Medal of Honor, several military dignitaries, and the Governor were present at the historic event. The Memorial sits prominently on the grounds of the Jefferson County Courthouse in downtown Louisville. It has enriched our community beyond words. The Memorial is a reminder that freedom is not free and that our great country exists because of the sacrifice of those who have gone before us. This is especially significant after the tragic events of September 11, 2001.
It is my understanding that Doyle is now working on the Texas Medal of Honor Memorial. I heartily recommend Doyle as the sculptor for this project and I fully endorse all efforts to raise the funds needed to develop the Texas Memorial and make it a reality. Please feel free to contact me should you have any questions about Doyle or about the development of the Kentucky Medal of Honor Memorial.
Sincerely,

Russ Maple
Jefferson County A District Commissioner
Chair, Kentucky Medal of Honor Memorial Committee

Texas Medal of Honor Memorial sculpture by Doyle Glass Bronze Medal of Honor Sculpture by Doyle Glass

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