FORT BRAGG, N.C. – What started as a 4x8 foot piece of raw steel, now stands as one of the 2nd Brigade Combat Team’s greatest representations of the unit’s falcon icon. This amazing icon of a falcon in flight, gripping the 325th Airborne Infantry Regiment crest in its talons, is the product of the hard work and dedication of two Falcon Paratroopers.
Staff Sgt. Dewey Adams, welding shop supervisor, from Lillington, N.C., and Pfc. William Crutcher, welder, from Pensacola Fla., both with D Troop, 1st Squadron, 73rd Cavalry Regiment spent over nine days creating the massive falcon sculpture. “We had created a similar Gray Falcon sculpture for our battalion,†said Adams, “Our sergeant major recommended we make one for the brigade.â€
Starting with their knowledge gained from earlier projects, Adams and Crutcher set out to improve and make something truly incredible. “We used a brigade coin and blew it up on a projector to get the general falcon outline,†Adams stated.
Using skills learned in the civilian sector and from Army training, the two man team cut each piece utilizing a plasma cutter and shaped them using a grinder. With over 200 pieces ranging from wings which stretch over three feet long to quarter-size ovals of steel representing the falcons breast feathers, this was no easy task. “Creating each piece from scratch and getting them to fit together was difficult and like trying to assemble a puzzle,†said Crutcher.
After welding the sculpture together, Adams used the automotive body shop of a local friend to paint the blank steel in rich, vibrant colors, with each hue representing one of the 2BCT’s six battalions.
With the paint dry and the falcon ready for display, this piece of military art will take a place of honor on a pedestal in front of the brigade headquarters, standing proudly above Ardennes Rd. and the 2nd Brigade Combat Team sign.
But with the completion of their project, Adams said their work has just begun, “We already have leaders from other units asking when we can make one for them.â€