In January of 2001, the Northglenn American Legion Post 22 and City of Nothglenn partnered to pay tribute to the many men and women, who throughout the years offered their lives to defend our country. Both teamed up to form the Veterans Memorial Committee, with additional help from Northglenn City officials, American Legion Auxilary Unit 22 members, Adams County Open Space Advisory Board, and individuals from the community. The $180,000 Veterans Memorial Plaza and sculpture was funded through individual donations, City funds, organizations and businesses, and a $120,000 grant from the Scientific and Cultural Facilities District (SCFD) via the Northglenn Arts and Humanities Foundation (NAHF).
The Veterans Memorial Committee successfully conducted an open competition to select a piece of artwork to represent and memorialize all American Veterans. The sculpture selected is a replica of the United States flag. It stands approximately 23-feet tall with ten figures emerging from the base. The uniforms the ten soldiers wear represent the many conflicts in American History. Veterans – like the American flag – serve as a symbol of our nation’s strength and unity and continue to be a source of pride and inspiration for millions of Americans. The sculpture was dedicated on Veteran’s Day of 2003.
A native of China, Wu received his degree in sculpture from the Sichuan Fine Arts Institute, and became staff sculptor for the city of Chengdu on the Chengdu Public Arts Commission. He worked primarily in public art and in the "socialist realist" genre. A large number of his public art works can be seen in Chengdu. He participated in the Tiananmen Square protests of 1989, and was caught in the square when the Chinese military attacked the demonstrators. He emigrated to the United States later that same year, and in time became a U.S. citizen. He worked in construction and as a dishwasher before enrolling in the University of Washington School of Art. He graduated with a Master of Fine Arts degree. For his master's thesis, he designed a memorial to 19th-century Chinese railroad workers which was later installed in a park in Tacoma, Washington.
