BY KAREN BOSSICK

A groundbreaking ceremony for a Blaine County Veterans Memorial will be held at 4 p.m. July 4 in Hailey.

The ceremony will take place on the grounds of the northwest corner of the Blaine County Courthouse.

The memorial, designed by Veterans for Veterans, honors Blaine County veterans for their unselfish sacrifice in serving our country, said Justin Safley, logistics coordinator for Higher Ground Sun Valley.

According to the Department of Veterans Affairs, there were about 1,350 veterans living in Blaine County in 2014.

Safley praised Blaine County Commissioner Jacob Greenberg for helping make the memorial a reality.

“The sacrifices made by Blaine County Veterans need to be remembered," he said. "The memorial is unique."

Everything from the memorial's physical design to the materials used represent something: remembrance, peacefulness, reflection, commemoration, memory, tribute, recollection and serenity. The memorial links the past to the present and enables people to remember and respect the sacrifice of those who fought and died for their country.

The memorial’s orientation is true north, an expression used in finding our way or proceeding on the correct course. The overall shape represents "the tip of the spear," an expression commonly used in military operations to represent those involved with the leading unit of an attack at the very center of harm’s way.

The river rock represents strength and endurance; water, flexibility and adaptability, and the organic flowers and shrubs, beauty. The colors of red, white and blue stand for loyalty, patriotism and nationalism. And the TAPs monument statue signifies lineage and heredity.

The TAPS monument statue rests on a triangular base representing the folded American flag and symbolizing the support of the American people. Three rifles form a pyramid with the barrels down symbolizing the fallen. Extending from the right corner of the base is a 1903 Springfield rifle used during World War I.

In the left corner is an M-1Garand rifle from World War II and in the back corner is an M-16 rifle representing the modern era. The stocks of the guns form a pyramid topped by a “steel pot” combat helmet used from World War I into the Cold War. Under the pyramid is a Civil War-era bugle.

Safley said he expects the memorial to serve as a focal point for civic commemorations such as Memorial Day, National Military Appreciation Month, Armed Forces Day, Independence Day and Veterans Day .

Others who helped bring the memorial to fruition were Rich Cardillo, director of operations for Higher Ground, and Webb Landscaping.