The unveiling of the Navy SEAL Monument in Virginia Beach, VA on July 20 began with a North American Aviation P51 Mustang (a long-range, single-seat, fighter-bomber from World War II) flying overhead. It’s familiar engine sounds evoked a sense of pride in the crowd–a perfect segue into the pledge of allegiance and moment of silence led by monument creator, Rick Woolard.

In the opening remarks and prior to the unveiling, the statue concept owner and creator, goes into great detail on his motivation for bringing this ambitious idea into fruition. Rick, retired Navy SEAL, and his family were on vacation in North Carolina, when his son who also happens to be a Navy SEAL exclaims,

“Dad, we can’t be a part of some other monument, we have to have our own space.”

It was this moment that Rick knew he was going to embark on a journey to create a monument, in their own backyard, that honored SEALS who’d served over the last 75 years.

“I asked myself…building a monument, how hard can it be?” Once Rick realized he was going to start on this passion-project in Virginia Beach, it didn’t take long for others to get involved.

In his speech, Rick broke down the timeline for the monument and it was to no one’s surprise, how quickly it had evolved. Rick hit the ground running in October 2016, fundraising began in January 2017, on March 7, 2017 the monument was approved, construction lasted roughly 45 days and it’s unveiling took place on Thursday, July 20, 2017.

In little under a year, Rick accomplished something that is going to be a historical landmark, memorial and dedication to our nation’s brave service men and women for many years to come.

NAVY SEAL MONUMENT FACTS

The first flag (one of three) was raised on July 13.

One is the American flag and the other two of the flags will be changed out periodically.

The statue titled “Naked Warrior” is of a WWII Navy combat swimmer.
The donor stone is dedicated to the 1,000+ people who donated.
The monument is reported to be comprised of 20,000 pounds of granite.
The sand from the living beach that surrounds the monument is comprised of “sands from 50 beaches where SEALs have trained, fought, bled, and served medals of honor.” Rick Woolard
Photos are of SEALs and their predecessors.
There are six secret inscriptions on the stone.
There isn’t a single SEALs name.

”It’s about teams and what they collectively accomplished over the last 50 years. It’s about deeds, not debts.”

-Creator Rick Woolard

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