On the evening of July 3rd, 2020, at the foot of Mt. Rushmore, President Trump announced his dream and passionate desire to build "The National Garden of American Heroes", and I immediately told my wife, "I'd love to be part of that!"  

   I thought, "Why not?" ...As the artist for the design of The Tree of Life at Disney's Animal Kingdom, and having played a significant role in the development of numerous other sculptures and attractions, with almost thirty years as an Imagineer (at the time), I was, and of course remain today a devoted American Patriot, for whom the chance at possibly helping with the design & development of a national garden for American heroes seemed impossible to pass up. 

   I contacted President Trump's team and began discussions with Chuck Laudner, the head of the National Parks division of The Bureau of Land Management, who filled me in on the what would be needed in terms of putting together and submitting a proposal. I then contacted a great friend and amazing artist, Tom Thordarson, who was of course very excited about the prospect and honor of working on such a momental endeavor.  

 

   Thus was the beginning of a four-year journey of watching and waiting, with nothing being divulged to us regarding who might be leading the effort or when the planning of it might recommence. Admittedly, it has drifted to the back of our minds, as we've been well aware of how busy and preoccupied the POTUS has been ever since, in efforts to help save America... and the world.

 

   It was a bit difficult at first, especially after having been informed that our proposal was very well-received at the official White House review in late September or early October 2020, however then hearing nothing more about it, leaving Tom and I with the feeling that all our efforts may have been for naught. Yet, it became increasingly clear that the weeks and months that followed, in the throes of a most tumultuous Presidential Election, were not the best of times for the President to be focused on a new National Garden of American Heroes... Then, just as many other Patriots have become aware, the "storm" only gew more intense... creating a political atmosphere even less conducive to any such venture. 

   With all of that, please keep in mind that the proposal and treatment found on this website together reflect a cursory cross-section (put together in a just a few weeks) of our understanding of American History and her Heroes, before all of what has transpired since then, where so much more truth and new heroes have been revealed.

- Frank Newman

 

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