The Fort Ord Commemorative Circle is a tribute to the tens of thousands of men and women who trained and served at the former U.S. Army post located in the heart of Monterey Bay.
At the base of the circle, a dry creek of loose cobbles feeds into the sturdy, curving form of a gabion wall which symbolizes the timeline of Fort Ord. Civilians are trained and shaped into soldiers, ready for combat. As the wall travels steadfast through the uneven terrain, a pause with each opening in the wall represents two things — the length of a year on the timeline and selfless service.
Highlighting the end of each major conflict, the wall steps up slightly in height while a lighted pillar reduces in height. The four major conflicts include World War II, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, and Operation Desert Storm. In sequence the pillars provide a visual indication of how within a period of fifty years, the methods of war changed dramatically. From boots on the ground, to chemical methods, the rapid-deployment “Lightfighters” of the 7th Infantry Division, and ultimately the closure of Fort Ord. At the end of the timeline the wall has become one with the natural terrain and native plantings of Monterey Bay.
The technology of how wars are fought will continue to change but the heroism and dedication of the men and women who serve our nation will never be taken for granted.
Client: Shea Homes and City of Marina
Electrical Engineer: Gray Electrical Consulting + Engineering, CORP
Structural Engineer: Buehler
General Contractor: Shea Homes
Landscape Contractor: WMA Landscape Construction, Inc.
Steel Fabrication: JW Steel
Photo Credit: Les Koenig
