On July 7th 2014 Kevan Dugan, James Plummer and Rick Iannucci installed our Gold Star Memorial Wall.
This one and only privately designed and constructed memorial to our Iraq and Afghanistan Fallen Heroes is permanently installed on the West wall of our Warrior Bunkhouse at the ranch.
In a heartfelt gesture of respect, honor and gratitude this memorial wall is designed and built to honor our post 9-11 Fallen Heroes. Our wish was a design that would be both a dignified and moving tribute that would express the feelings of our ranch and the warrior cowboy spirit that is alive here in our Cowboy Up! program and in our veterans and active military.
Designed and built by Rick Iannucci, Nancy De Santis, Lavonne Miller, Kevin Dugan and Michael Gabbrielli, it is constructed of our re-claimed barn wood and patina metal with hand stamped brass dog tags containing the name, rank, branch of service, date of birth, and place the fallen hero made their ultimate sacrifice. A large Gold Star circled with a wreath duplicating the American Gold Star Mothers logo completes the flag like design.
Of the pair, one dog tag is permanently mounted on the wall and the second dog tag hangs from a 4-inch brass chain. A wind chime effect takes place as the dangling tags flutter in the wind and recessed lighting casts a soft shadow on the dog tags. The Dog tags are hung in such a way that when a breeze comes through the dog tags tinkle like a chime - a chime that makes one stop, bow their head, and reflect in remembrance.
This one and only privately designed and constructed memorial to our Iraq and Afghanistan Fallen Heroes is permanently installed on the West wall of our Warrior Bunkhouse at the Crossed Arrows Ranch here in Santa Fe. We will stand ready to present our Gold Star Mothers their Fallen Heroes Dog Tag when they honor us with a visit to the ranch.
The very next day the Cowbelles came to visit.
The ladies were the very first to see our memorial wall in it's permanent home.
Rick took the time to tell how the wall came about, and with that the ladies took a contemplative eye, to honor all.
