Bingham Memorial donates $20,000 for veteran’s tribute

BLACKFOOT — Bingham Memorial Hospital presented Bingham County with a check for $20,000 to help fund the creation of a 7-foot-tall bronze statue in the center of Patriot Field — the new Veteran’s Memorial Park across the street from the Bingham County Courthouse in Blackfoot.

However, the statue cannot be built without the additional support of local individuals and business contributions.

The one-of-a-kind work of art will be sculpted by Ben Hammond — a native Idahoan — and will feature a military officer handing a folded American flag to two children.

The bronze sculpture will become the centerpiece in Patriot Field, paying tribute to war veterans and prisoners of war from Bingham County.

Hammond was awarded the Gloria Medal in 2015 and the Beverly Hoyt Robertson Memorial Award, and in 2013, he received the Bronze Medal Award at the National Sculpture Society’s Annual Awards Exhibition.

He also received Best of Show Bronze for six consecutive years (2010-2015) from Sculpture Walk in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, and he was selected to compete in the National Competition for Figurative Sculpture where he was awarded the prestigious Charlotte Geffken prize in 2010 and 2011. For three consecutive years — 2008-2010 — Hammond was awarded the Dexter Jones Award for his work in bas-relief from the National Sculpture Society.

“The statue will serve as an important reminder for everyone to never forget those who have paid the ultimate price for our freedom,” says Ladd Carter, Bingham County Commission chairman. “I can’t think of a more fitting tribute to those who have sacrificed so much on our behalf. And I’m grateful to Bingham Memorial for their ongoing support and dedication to seeing Patriot Field through to completion.”

Jeff Daniels, CEO of Bingham Memorial Hospital, said the facility is happy to be able to give back to the community.

“We were pleased to present this check to Bingham County,” Daniels said. “I speak for everyone at the hospital when I say we are proud to give back to the community in this way. And since the statue cannot be built without additional funds, I would like to challenge everyone in the community, individuals and businesses, to make a contribution of any size.”

About $80,000 is still needed to build the statue.

Contributions can be made to the Bingham Economic Development Corp., which is recognized as a public charity under the Internal Revenue Code.

Donations to the Patriot Field bronze statue may be made by making checks payable to BEDC with a note in the memo indicating it is for the Patriot Field Statue. Checks can be dropped off or mailed to: Blackfoot City Hall157 N. Broadway St., Blackfoot, ID 83221 or at the Bingham County Courthouse, 501 N. Maple St., Blackfoot, ID 83221.

“I’d like to thank everyone in advance who is able to make a contribution or donation to such a noble cause,” Carter said. “All donations will go toward helping us to finance the creation of the statue, and, in turn, you’ll be giving a veteran’s family and friends a special place to come together to remember the veteran they love.”

Patriots Field is the culmination of city and county officials to recognize Bingham County veterans. The project was primarily funded with county funds and matched with funds from Blackfoot Urban Renewal.

Patriot Field is nearly complete and includes a stone wall that features about 100 names of Bingham County veterans who were either killed or missing in action. Flags also represent the five branches of the military and prisoners of war.

Bingham Memorial Hospital presented Bingham County with a check for $20,000 to help fund the creation of a 7-foot, bronze statue in the center of Patriot Field.

Submitted Photo