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About
About
The 'Freedom Is Not Free' monument, also known as the Richmond Veterans Monument, was built on June 1, 2002, and is located on the same plot of land as the Richmond Community Building, located on the northwest corner of State and Main.
"The finished monument features a flagpole and a large flag rising from the center of a five-pointed pebble-grained star. The star is surrounded by a square of dark paving brick, which, in turn, is bordered by a light brick walkway. Each point of the star leads to a stone pillar in which is placed a marble slab and a bronze bust..."1
The monument contains 631 names of men and women who participated in American wars, American-Mexican War (Mormon Battalion), Spanish-American War, World War I & II, Korea, Vietnam, and the Gulf War. Also included are individuals during Peacetimes and Reserves. Five pillars display the names of individuals with busts atop the pillars dressed in the uniforms of four branches of the military: Two Army busts (male and female), Navy, Air Force, and Marines. Val Lewis designed all the sculptures. At the unveiling of the monument, a book containing all the names with photos of the patriots was made and is available to the public at the Richmond City building located at 1 West.
The site was dedicated by Dennis Jackson, President of the Richmond Utah Stake of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Memorial Committe and Contributors
Memorial Committe and Contributors
World War II veteran, Garr Christensen, and his wife, Maxine, began the effort to create a marker for the veterans of American wars, located in front of the Richmond Community Building. The Richmond Veterans Memorial Committee was established as early as May 28, 2001, and began asking residents of Richmond for names and photos of war veterans.3
Memorial Committee
Garr & Maxine Christensen, R. Dell & Luann Tripp, Dean Hicken, Gale V. Alvey, Norman Stockton, Ludean Watterson, Leslie Erickson, Helen Kidd, and Wendy Christensen
Contributions
Plates and Engravings were done by Bridgeland Applied Technology College and Christensen Construction.
The Herald Journal, Attorney Joe Chambers, Brent Carlson Construction, Dan Miller, Bill Wing, Barbra Stewart, Don Bell, Glenn Allred, and Kurt Christensen. Gravel and cement were provided by Watking Printing
Principal Donors were George S. and Dolores Dore Eccles, Eccles Foundation, Lewiston State Bank, and Garr And Maxine Christensen.
Founders were Gale & Marva Dawn Alvey, Foland & Alice Anderson, the Richmond Youth Council, Faye Theurer, R. Dell & Luann Tripp, and Marice & LuDean Christensen.
Message from US President George W. Bush
"As our country responds to aggression and terrorism, we look to America's veterans for their example of courage and sacrifice in defending freedom. The soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines who fought for America made a contribution, not just to the defense of our nation, but to the character of our nation.
"Their bravery protected the democratic ideals and liberties for which we fight today."4
Controversy
Controversy
After the monument's construction, it became apparent that many names were missing from the monument, and no recognition for the U.S. Coast Guard. Lt. Jason D. Arnold, Office of Computer Systems, U.S. Coast Guard, said in a letter to the Ogden Standard-Examiner:
"I'm sure that the folks that supported the memorial had good intentions, but they obviously overlooked a key part of memorializing America's history; that is researching history. As a member of America's smallest armed service, I often see my service omitted."2
It is suspected that close to 300 names are missing from the monument, including 19 who lost their lives in active duty and 5 who were awarded the Purple Heart. Because of this, many citizens find the monument a disgrace or disappointment until missing names are added. The city is aware of this problem and wants to fix it, but has not made any recent attempts to add the missing names.
Bryce Holt, creator of Bryce's History Project: Richmond Encyclodpedia, has an updated list of veterans on his history website. The lists also include veterans of the Indian Wars, Civil War, Cold War, War on Terror, and Fallen Police Officers. The list of names included those who were born, lived, or are buried in Richmond & Cove who participated in war efforts. "Until I feel comfortable with the list I have, making sure I have nearly ALL of the veterans of Richmond, I will begin the efforts to restore the veterans monument," Bryce Holt, Aug 19, 2025.
Utah Chapter of the Freedoms Foundation at Valley Forge awarded the "Freedom is Not Free" monument, along with the committee members, the National Meritorious Award for Special Events award.
Sources
Sources
Richmond Veterans Memorial, National Meritorious Award for Special Events, Utah Chapter - Freedoms Foundation at Valley Forge - Feb 5, 2004
(July 6, 2002). Monument Excludes Coast Gaurd. Deseret News. https://www.deseret.com/2002/7/6/19664820/monument-excludes-coast-guard#:~:text="I%27m%20sure%20that,my%20service%20omitted."
(May 28, 2001). Lest we forget: Richmond residents plan memorial for vets. The Herald Journal. University of Utah, J. Willard Marriott Library, Utah Digital Newspapers. https://newspapers.lib.utah.edu/details?id=30319459&q=Richmond&sort=rel&year_start=2001&year_end=2001&facet_paper=Logan+Herald+Journal
(June 2, 2002). Memorial. The Herald Journal. University of Utah, J. Willard Marriott Library, Utah Digital Newspapers. https://newspapers.lib.utah.edu/details?id=30342207
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