Image of Flight 5191 Memorial Unveiled
LEXINGTON, Ky. (June 4, 2010) - As the greater Lexington community approaches the fourth anniversary of the Flight 5191 tragedy, plans were announced Thursday for the commissioning of a serene yet stunningly appropriate memorial sculpture which, when complete, will be placed in the Remembrance Gardens developed by Hospice of the Bluegrass at The Arboretum, located on Alumni Drive, on the University of Kentucky campus.
An all-volunteer committee, which was co-chaired by Dr. Ray Garman and Gerry van der Meer, included family members of some of the 49 individuals who lost their lives in the crash, as well as representatives of Hospice of the Bluegrass, the Red Cross, United Way of the Bluegrass, and The Arboretum. Together, over the past three-plus years, the group solicited and evaluated over 50 different artistic submissions for a permanent memorial. From these submissions, the design by renowned sculptor and Kentucky resident Douwe (pronounced ‘Dow’) Blumberg has been selected.
The sculptor’s stated vision: “To create an appropriately powerful memorial and contemplative area within the garden itself. A 17-foot tall sculpture of 49 stylized silver bird figures will sweep heavenward in a rush of energy and movement: the number of birds corresponds to the 49 souls lost in the flight 5191 tragedy. Around the perimeter of the base upon which the sculpture will rest will be the names of those who perished, and an appropriate tribute to the first responders.”
Blumberg also noted, “One of the most uniquely significant aspects of this sculpture: permanently sealed within each bird form will be a stainless steel canister containing tokens of remembrance, to be placed there by family members during a private ceremony prior to the sealing of each of the sculptured birds.”
Garman and van der Meer noted that the committee anticipates that funding for this memorial project will come from a variety of donors. Contributions can be made through the Blue Grass Community Foundation.