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Show HILLTOP TIMES TIMES April 10,2007 PARK Fay Dolan and Tim Dolan wipe away tears during the funeral of their son Daniel Dolan on Sept. 8, 2006. Dolan was killed in action while serving with the Army in Iraq. Efforts are being made through Operation Never Forget to remember those who have fallen while serving in Iraq or Afghanistan. From page 3 MATTHEW HATFiELD Standard-Examiner MEMORIAL From page 1 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. "Ifs 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." Tb 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 LehmiUer 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/. SAY GOODBYE TO velopment in the public areas outside the two gates. "The state of Utah is supporting (the project) through a combination of tax-increment financing or bonding and a $5 million grant this session that has been passed unanimously in both houses" (at the legislative level), he said. "There is a potential for state grant funding totaling $25 million dollars over five years. What this really means is that Utah continues to be one of the most supportive states in the nation for its local military installations." Evans and the developer previously met with Gov. Jon Huntsman to fill him in on interest in the development. t( I can report that this project has full support from the governor," he said. "Falcon Hill supports the governor's economic development cluster initiative as an aerospace and composite cluster. This northern tier including Utah State and Hill Air Force Base is part of the cluster," Evans said. This project, "by far one of the Defense Department's most successful and largest enhanced-use leasing projects" is strong motivation for the program director. "It's a chance to change this part of the world, to make a lasting positive impact for good for the Air Force, for the community and for the state," he said about what excites him the most in working with the project. In general terms, the commercial side of the project in both areas will expand and push the gates back into the interior of the base as development occurs. But there will be some commercial space behind the fence for contractors who require it in addition to the office spaces generated by the project on base. The project, which has taken some five years from its inception, is now focused on the concerted plan and approach of from 18 months to two years for this part of Phase I. Phase I encompasses about 180 acres and could encompass six to nine years to complete, depending on market conditions. "The project could progress more quickly if the response is there," said Evans. Construction costs of Phase I are expected to exceed $500 million dollars, another huge boost to the local economy. The developer plans to bid construction services locally. "Big players in this project," Evans said, will be the four local communities providing emergency services. "They will also be entitled to property tax on the improvements (on the commercially developed areas) and sales tax on retail sales in those commercial parts of the development." "It's really thrilling to be involved in this project and the support — Hill Air Force Base is the first installation to establish a project management office to exercise significant local control over the negotiations and plans, and so we really appreciate the Air Force Real Property Agency and Air Force Materiel Command in their willingness to allow our team the flexibility and authority we receive," Evans said. 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