Sculpture of fallen soldier unveiled at Veterans Day event

When Grand Rapids native Dennis Lobbezoo died in the Vietnam War, Edward Byrd felt he had lost a great friend.  

Byrd, a medical officer for the U.S. Navy Reserves, met Lobbezoo, a young Marine, while treating him for an injury.  

“He was kind, soft spoken and became friends with everyone he met. I only knew him for a short time, but he stuck with me,” said Byrd. 

Years later and upon Byrd’s retirement as a neurosurgeon, he studied art and created a bronze sculpture of Lobbezoo. He wanted it to be displayed in Lobbezoo’s hometown.  

“He [Dennis] gave me a desire to one day create a memorial to honor soldiers. Through this sculpture, I want to keep alive the memory of them and what they gave to us,” said Byrd, from South Carolina. 

The sculpture, "Homage to the Fallen," was unveiled at a ceremony at Grand Valley on November 11, Veterans Day. Lobbezoo’s family attended the event, including his sister and nephew, Tim Lobbezoo.

“You have brought a sense of calmness to our family,” Tim said to Byrd. “You knew what we knew about Denny; he was kind, caring and courageous. If he touched you in this way, then maybe he touched others in Vietnam in the same way. We are humbled and honored to see this sculpture of Denny and all who have fallen.” 

The 27-inch-long, 14-inch-tall sculpture is displayed in the lobby outside of the Steelcase Library in the DeVos Center on the Pew Grand Rapids Campus.

The annual breakfast event invited students, faculty and staff members who are current military members or veterans. 

President Thomas J. Haas said: “Every student veteran has his or her own story. Grand Valley is here to help them make that transition from military life to college life. We are proud to serve veterans and military members and are happy that they chose to become Lakers.”

Learn more about Grand Valley’s Student Veterans Network at www.gvsu.edu/veterans.