In Memory of the Fallen

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Operation Never Forget's goal to create busts of all America's lost soldiers

Three Northern Utah families are on a crusade to ensure that the memory of their sons and every other soldier killed in Iraq and Afghanistan will live forever.

Michael Lehmiller, of Clearfield, Daniel Dolan, of Roy, and Michael Pursel, of Hooper, all died fighting in the global war on terror.

The families of the three fallen soldiers are spearheading the local chapter of Operation Never Forget, a nonprofit organization based in Virginia. The organization's hope is to build portraiture memorial busts of every service member killed in Iraq and Afghanistan since the war began.

"When you've had someone close to you killed in action, you want to do everything you can to help preserve that memory," said Fay Dolan, Daniel's mother. "That's sort of how we got started with Operation Never Forget."

The organization raises funds to pay for the bronze busts, made by MARBLECast Products Inc., in Salt Lake City.

MARBLECast owner Victoria Karpos serves as a volunteer member of the organization. She said more than 4,300 statues are planned as funds become available.

The estimated cost of the project is about $20 million and will take at least 10 years to complete. The money for the costly busts comes from charitable donations.

"It's definitely a huge project," Karpos said. "It will take a lot of work, but I think it's worth it. And I think once the word gets out and people see what this is all about, we will get a lot of support for the communities in Northern Utah."

To help get the word out, the group will hold an unveiling ceremony at Weber State University in June, showcasing the busts of the three soldiers.

"We hope when we do the unveiling, it will sort of jump-start the project here and make people more aware of it," Dolan said. "Getting the local communities aware and involved is key."

Layton resident Lidia McClung, a volunteer with the organization, said local support for the project has been great so far.

"It's really a wonderful program, and it's just getting started, but when people hear about it, they seem really receptive," she said.

When the three busts are completed, they will be placed in the city hall of each soldier's hometown.

"Operation Never Forget approached us, and we thought it was a great way to remember one of our own residents who lost his life in Iraq," said Hooper City Councilman Dennis Weston.

Terry Dutcher, Pursel's mother, said Hooper residents have donated more than $3,000, nearly covering the entire cost of her son's bust.

"We are kind of paving the way for every other Utah soldier," she said. "And getting that kind of support can go a long way."

Clearfield Mayor Don Wood said the idea struck a chord with city officials there.

"Michael Lehmiller grew up in our city and he went to our schools," he said. "It's a more than appropriate way to pay respect to the sacrifice that he made."

Bob Lehmiller, Michael's father, said he hopes every fallen Utah soldier will eventually be memorialized with a bust.

"Our job isn't done yet," he said. "Our goal is to make Utah the first state to have all of its fallen soldiers honored with these busts."

All three families said the busts represent a tangible way to remember the soldiers.

"This way, they won't just be another name on the wall," said an emotional Dolan. "People will be able to see the face and look into the eyes of a person who lost their life fighting for freedom."

For information on how to donate to Operation Never Forget, go to operationneverforget.org/onf2/.

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