Why a "private organization"?
The monument project was originally approached as an effort of a group of private individuals. It was determined during the course of negotiations for land with the local military authorities that a Private Organization under Army Regulation 210-1 would provide more accountability and would enhance fundraising abilities by giving more credibility to the group. A monument was not being pursued by military entities, and friends of the victims were moved to design and build it out of concern that the families have something to focus on and that the significance of the event and the victims' contribution to future safer operations needed to be remembered by the unit and community and eventually the Army with a unique monument.

Is it a US Government effort?
No, it's a product of two years' volunteer individual effort through a Private Organization established under Army regulations. The Army has allowed the organization to use government land under the condition that no government resources or funds be used to build or maintain the monument. A variety of military personnel and organizations have volunteered support in a variety of important, but nominal, ways.

What is the monument for?
The monument was built as a tribute all 26 international victims of the accident, focusing on the eight helicopter crewmembers whose detachment is based in Giebelstadt. It is intended as a focal point for remembering those whose loss helped make future joint military operations safer for all involved. Initially, it will keep the memory alive among members of the detachment's parent unit and the Giebelstadt community.

Why was it built?
It is important for the families of the victims to have something to point to, to show that their loss was not forgotten, and that their loved ones are remembered for their honorable sacrifice. The identity of the unit and community are also shaped by the sacrifices of their members, and this gives the community a unique reminder that the safer inter-service operations taking place today and in the future were facilitated by this unfortunate accident. Further, "Building this monument was the right thing to do", says Mr. Nuss, because "we have to remember this accident, both to honor the victims, whose sacrifice has made inter-service operations safer, and to make sure we all make the concepts of communication and awareness a part of our personal identity, both in military operations and at home."

Two quotes also highlight the importance of a monument:
"They came to save us, and to give us dignity. Their sacrifice will remain in the minds of our children for the rest of their lives. We will teach their names to our children, and keep their names in our books of history as heroes who gave their lives for freedom."
-Sheik Ahmet, 17 April 1994 memorial service in Zakhu, Iraq
"When a tragic accident like this happens, it is for us and especially deep loss. But it also moves us on to an unwavering commitment to correct that which went on. That is what we now must pursue. We owe no less to those who died that day."
-General John Shalikashvili, Chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff, 13 July 1994 news conference

When was it built?
In the spring of 1996.

When was it dedicated?
At 2 pm in a ceremony at Giebelstadt Army Airfield, Germany, on 14 April 1996.

Where is it?
From early 1996 to 10 March 2006 it was at Giebelstadt Army Airfield, a US Army airfield about 10 miles south of Würzburg, Germany. In 2006, it was packed for moving to the Army Aviation Center at Ft. Rucker, Alabama. It is intended to be installed there as soon as the administrative and technical processes, along with fundraising, allow.

Will it always be there?
No. When the military unit moves or the airfield closes, we will ensure the monument is moved to its permanent home at the Army Aviation Center at Ft Rucker, Alabama, where it will become a permanent remembrance for all of Army Aviation. Not all next-of-kin were able to attend the dedication, and have not yet seen the monument in person, so this will be an important event.

Who is the design team?
Kathrin Schoenke, a German citizen and EFDMMP/EFDMMF, Inc Secretary, was responsible for the design, including the eight triangular stones, walkways, trees, and negotiation for exact location, and more.The original idea of helicopter models on a center stone at this location at the airfield was conceived by David Nuss, a helicopter pilot who returned to Giebelstadt from Turkey three weeks before the accident and knew or was acquainted with most of the 26 international victims. The two spent hundreds of hours and thousands of dollars over two years in building a scale model, traveling internationally to fundraising events and seeking support, making fundraising calls/faxes/letters, coordinating the "Eagle Flight" print, getting contract bids, and supervising construction, among other things.

What is the design concept?
The helicopters were mounted facing west, towards the airfield at Giebelstadt, in the lead-trail arrangement they were flying the fateful day. Plaques below each helicopter model list the names of all passengers aboard each aircraft. The remaining sides of the center stone bear plaques with the story of the shootdown and of Operation Provide Comfort. Surrounding the center stone are triangular stones, like points on a compass, with the name, rank, and badge of all crew members, listed alphabetically beginning at north and working clockwise around when viewed from above. A walkway of eight-sided stones surrounds these stones. Two walkways lead to the monument from the street and from a pre-monument flag plaza that serves the installation. Eight trees are aligned in a cross to give the effect of Black Hawk rotor blades when viewed from overhead. The rest is grassy area surrounded by low hedges. Each element builds on the other elements, using the number 8, triangles, closed and open shapes, for an overall symbolic sythesis to allow the visitor to ponder the sacrifice of the victims, a peaceful environment to honor them, and elements to support a pensive effect. The layout at Ft. Rucker will hopefully be similar but is under consideration.

How was money raised?
More than $50,000 in contributions were raised by sales of a commemorative print, "Eagle Flight" by George Finley, direct contributions of money, materials or labor from corporations, organizations, local governments, and individuals from around the world. Nearly half of the contributions came from German sources. (See list below)

Who are the sponsors?
George Finley
Reinhold Wuerth
Sikorsky Aircraft
Wurzburger Pflasterbau
Austin Blair & colleagues
Schwaebisch Hall Flying club
City of Wurzburg
Foundation of the Sparkasse Bank, Wurzburg
Wurzburg Officers & Civilians Wives Club
Schweinfurt Thrift Shop
Allied Signal Aerospace
Pirinclik Air Base military and civilian personnel
Serv-Air, Inc/E-Systems
Hannelore Kohl
Who are the contributors?
Andrews Federal Credit Union
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
Heidelberg OCWC
Schweinfurt OCWC
SAAB Wuerzburg
B Co 7-159th Avn Family Support Group
Kitzingen OCWC
Augsburg OCSC
Bamberg OCWC
BMW Kalmus, Wuerzburg
Duane Collins
International Agency-Europe/Khaled Zuraika
HHC 69th ADA Family Support Group
C/6-159 Family Support Group
Herr Franz, REWE Giebelstadt
Norman LeBlond
SM Peachey Automobiles
Col Robert Mabey, Utah National Guard
Cornerstone Lodge No 836, Wuerzburg
Elektro Scheuermann, Essfeld
Gasthaus Lutz, Giebelstadt
Gebaeudereinigung Fleischmann, Giebelstadt
Alan P. Kenyon
Clark Mallder
Esso Breunig, Giebelstadt
James K. Clark
Jim Shireley
Karl Reinhart, UNC Aviation Services Lakehurst NJ
Ken Nuss
Merchant's National Bank and Trust
Michael J. Parman, publisher, Santa Rosa CA
MSG Eddie Vesel
NCOA/Donald Kennedy
Scheckenbach's Restaurant, Giebelstadt
The Garrett Family
Marcia Hall
Gasthof Mayer, Giebelstadt
Harald Wolf, Wolf Brauerei, Fuchsstadt
Dennie Hamontree
Giebelstadt Community Spouses' Club
Norma Smihall
Pioneer Sales Services GmbH, Hanau
Rohnert Park, CA, VFW post 3237
SFC Anthony Chittenden
Terry Sandefur
Lynn Horter
UNC Aviation Services
Aaron Power
Al & Inez Bottaro
Bert Ver Haar III
Bob & Eleanor Parsons
Elizabeth Lopez-Velazquez
The Hall Family
CW4 GP Ruestrow
Jeff Gordon
Joseph R. Farrell
1LT Hilton Nunez
Amy Stokes
Brownie Troop #761, Lisa Seward, Troop Leader
Carin Mogavero
Charlotte Geist
Crystal Dixon
Donna Muncey
Gary Boyd, print sales and framing
Jackie Daniel
Jacy Calhoun
Jim Fisher, Giebelstadt Community Club
Leighton Flower Shop
Rae Ann Reid
Shannon Leach
Zeltverleih GmbH, Ochsenfurt
PLUS: The many anonymous donors, Pirinclik Air Base personnel who contributed to the Casino Night, the soldiers and family members of the 5th-158th, the GAAF community, the 417th BSB, the local civilian community, and so many others.

What's next?
When the unit moves or the post closes, we will ensure the monument is moved to its permanent home at the Army Aviation Center at Ft Rucker, Alabama, where it will become a permanent remembrance for all of Army Aviation.