Dedication of War Shrine Hushes Critics

A controversial war memorial that sparked a battle around Burbank City Hall was unveiled Friday.

Sculptor Erwin Binder’s 12-foot tribute to war veterans, an abstract piece in the shape of a flame titled “Requiem,” was uncovered to thunderous applause from 200 spectators and dignitaries at a Memorial Day ceremony in Buena Vista Park.

Among the crowd were city officials who had criticized renderings of the sculpture and the artistic taste of Councilman Michael Hastings, who had asked Binder to create the sculpture last year. Hastings attempted to raise funds for the work, but his council colleagues said they did not like or approve of it.

But the controversy disappeared during the ceremony. Councilman Robert R. Bowne, the most vocal critic of the sculpture, called it “really nice. It’s a lot more beautiful than I thought it would be.”

Councilwoman Mary Lou Howard, who had also had harsh words for the work, likewise said she liked the finished product.

Bob Hope at Fund-Raiser

Howard had fired the first shot in the battle in September following a Hastings-staged fund-raiser that featured entertainer Bob Hope. The event only attracted 1,500 people to the 6,000-seat Starlight Amphitheatre, and Howard said Hope was not enough of a draw for a sellout.

Earlier this year, Hope staged another fund-raiser to help pay for the sculpture, which cost about $50,000.

Hope spoke at Friday’s ceremony and made no references to Howard or the earlier controversy.

“Rumor has it that George Burns and I were at the original signing of the Constitution,” Hope quipped. “That’s not true. I was entertaining at a benefit in Bakersfield.”

Hastings praised the monument, which will be anchored in the park.

“This monument symbolizes strength, determination, accomplishment and yet has a serene feeling as well,” he said.