The Daily Home
Thursday, July 4, 2002
by: Michael Seale, Home staff writer

Talladega Firm helps construct piece of American History

As the nation celebrates the anniversary of its independence today, a local company is celebrating the opportunity to have a hand in its own expression of patriotism.

Talladega’s Allen Architectural Metals Inc. located in the Coosa Valley Industrial Park along Alabama 77, has been chosen to do work on the World War II Memorial in Washington DC.

Allen won the bid for the ornamental metalwork on May 15, but the company finally received the contract for the project Tuesday, “making it official,” according to the company’s president, John C. Allen.

“To be chosen and to be accepted as a viable vendor for this project is a great honor for everyone who works here and for the State of Alabama,” Allen said.

Although not the largest endeavor the company has ever taken on this project may be the most sentimental, in Allen’s eyes. “I would do it for free if I could.” Allen said. “That is how proud I am of this project.”

Allen has a personal link to the job as well. His wife and co-owner of Allen Architectural Metals, Martha Allen , had an uncle who was killed in action in Okinawa, Japan, on May 2, 1945.

Craty Asbury Langston was assigned to an outpost position to protect is unit while it reorganized. Langston was struck by enemy fire while manning his post and died form the wounds. The memorial commemorates his service in the war along with the sacrifices of 16 million other World War II veterans. “Personally, I am dedication this job to Craty,” Allen said. “World War II had a tremendous effect on this country. It along with the Revolutionary War, made this country what it is.”

The monument, slated for completion in 2004, has been surrounded by controversy since Congress approved its construction in 1993. Some people were upset over the location for the monument, saying its placement destroys the historic views between the Washington Monument and the Lincoln Memorial. In addition the mall is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, construction of the monument would alter the National Mall.
A compromise was reached that keeps the view intact, and ground was broken on the project November 11, 2001.

Allen said he has had three meetings with officials in Washington over a span of a year, securing the contract for the bronze metal work on the monument. His company will team up with Tomkins Builders and Grunley-Walsh Construction on various phases of the project.

Because Allen’s work comes at the end of the construction, he has a chance to get his employees organized and ready for the undertaking when his part of the task is due.

“We are fortunate because we come in at the tail end of the project, so we have time to work it into our schedule and be through with the work,” Allen said.

He said his employees are up for the task, and he has no doubts about their ability to complete the task with efficiency. “We have been very blessed. We have great employees, and all of them are local, but they are competing nationally; and I am very proud of that,” he said.

The 7.5 acre monument designed by Freidrich St. Florian will include two 41-foot arches labeled “Atlantic” and “Pacific,” representing the battles fought in two-regions of the world. It will also include 56 pillars sitting on a 6-foot wall representing the unity of the states and territories during the war and a field of gold stars. Each star represents 100 lives lost in the war. In the center of the memorial will be a “Light of Freedom,” representing the victory of democracy over tyranny.

The project will cost $140 million, with about $125 million of that coming from private contributions.