The emblem of the brave and true Its folds protect no tyrant crew; The red and white and starry blue Is freedom's shield and hope.

This memorial is dedicated to those United States military personnel who gave their lives in the line of duty at times other than those of declared hostile action.

On approach the monument is seen through trees, enigmatically rising from the ground to meet the sky. As in Monument Valley, the rock which is hardest remains, the virtue of the nation endures because of the sacrifice made by its citizens. The whiteness of the polished concrete monument recalls the national buildings and monuments of the United States and shares a common character, one of honour and pride.

The top surface of the extruded form is inclined, lowering the monument to a human scale. The emblematic plan form is revealed obliquely at its lowest point and so takes on a contemplative mood. Conceptually the presence of the Flag is as a funereal drape over the entire object.

The stars of the Flag rise as columns, representing individual sacrifice for collective freedom. The stripes of the Flag become walls along which the gathered presence of all service personnel is implied. The terminations of the stripes serve as inscription stones, illustrating the names of those singled out from the rank and file, to be remembered for their extraordinary sacrifice.

Kneel-stones are placed before each inscription stone, decked with permanent bronze wreaths. Each cast bronze name is individually set into recesses pre-formed in the concrete, allowing for future additions and reconfiguration.

In addition, to those in military service and veterans, the Stars and Stripes is recognised as the newspaper that serves as a medium between service personnel and their families, in peace time as well as during conflict.

The colours of the flag are only revealed as daylight fades by subtle up lighters concealed in the grass from which the monument emerges. The object is designed to cast a variety of shadows through the days and seasons and changing views as the visitor circulates the site.

The certainty of death is attended with uncertainties, in time, manner and places. The monument will become a cathartic symbol of personal and communal grief, remembrance, heroism and gratitude.

UNITED WE STAND, DIVIDED WE FALL

The main objective of the landscape strategy is to create a tranquil and meditative setting for the monument. The landscape proposals are intentionally understated so as not to detract or compete with the visual strength of the monument.

The main components of the landscape proposals are: - the definition of the monument setting by tree planting - the visual screening of the car park by hedge and tree planting - circulation to guide the visitor into and around the monument setting

The main access would be by a path from the car park that passes through a woodland avenue. This path would be natural bound gravel. On entering the monument clearing paths would be either small bound gravel paths or 'mown grass' paths. The main entrance to the monument clearing would be indicated by a transitional grid of stone and grass, the effect of which would compliment the monument. The visitor would be invited to walk around the pond after visiting the monument to provide a time for reflection before leaving the site.

Seating, arranged along the length of the woodland/site edge, would be in the form of rectangular blocks of polished concrete turned to face the monument, again to visually compliment the character and materiality of the monument.

Planting would be primarily tree planting, the intention being to create enclosure but provide a view below canopy level. The maintenance of the grass would create formal mown verges with meadow below trees and in the more natural areas. The edge of the pond would be enhanced by marginal planting of reeds.

The simplicity of the monument design and landscape setting takes account of the occasional flooding of the park area.

Lighting, located on the ground around and between the monuments, would be used to great effect creating a subtle colour wash across the vertical faces of the monument. Only visible at dawn, dusk and through the hours of darkness, the lighting scheme offers another layer of interpretation and visitor experience.

Ultimately the monument, in its silence, is more powerful than words.