SALEM, Ore., Aug. 12 (UPI) -- Despite architects' opposition, the state-sanctioned Afghan-Iraqi Freedom War Memorial is set to be unveiled this month in Salem, Ore.
The Oregonian reported that while noted architects have opposed the scope, energy consumption and other facets of the Mall of Oregonians' project, a spokesman for Oregon Gov. Ted Kulongoski has said the memorial will be undeterred by such complaints.
"The project is going forward," spokesman Lonn Hoklin said. "The governor is very supportive of having a memorial to these veterans on the Capitol grounds. The Legislature looked at the artistic concept and approved it without a dissenting vote. That's very hard -- impossible -- to ignore."
The 40-foot-wide fountain, which was originally conceived by slain Army Warrant Officer Erik Kesterson's parents, will join numerous other war memorials on the government mall's property when it is revealed in a few weeks.
Kesterson's parents have raised private funds for the memorial to honor their son who died in Iraq in 2003.
The architects, who are part of a state review committee, have said the fountain's extravagant size will disrespect other memorials on site and have requested that it be revamped based on government design regulations, the newspaper said.
