Beacon of the Sentinels is taking shape

By Terry Murry on Tuesday, July 20th, 2021 in Columbia Basin News More Top Stories

PENDLETON – Beacon of the Sentinels comes together in Pendleton Military Tribute Park. The components of the tribute to all five branches of the military arrived Monday afternoon. Installation is expected to be complete Wednesday afternoon.

Work remains to be done on the park itself at 409 S.E. 10^th Street, but the eye-catching beacon is a major step forward in the project. It is sponsored by the Let ’er Buck Post No. 922 of the Veterans of Foreign Wars and the Pendleton Arts Commission.

The sculpture by Michael Clapper features a modernist beacon to represent the military, while the star-shaped pergola represents the people of the United States. The beacon will shine its light up through and over the top of the pergola to symbolize strength and protection.

Donations to the project are welcome, and memorial bricks are offered. More information is at https://www.pendletontribute.com/.

Photo of installation by Johnny Blagg