Remembrance redux

Drivers on Del Webb Boulevard honked at Chuck Carter Wednesday morning, showing their approval for the memorial he rebuilt honoring 9/11 victims and the soldiers who died in the battles that followed.

The Sun Citian took down the memorial on his property at Del Webb Boulevard and White Mountain Road two weeks ago after a Sun City Home Owners Association code compliance officer informed him of some people's disapproval.

However, two weeks ago, residents and veterans who appreciated the display marched at his home to show their support.

"I was out of town when I heard what some of my neighbors and friends did," he said. "It was real shock, but I'm proud people love it."

Carter said Sun Citians have a lot of pride in America.

"The people in Sun City are some of the most patriotic people in the United States who love this country," he said. 

Still, some residents weren't pleased with the memorial.

Gene Turiano, a SCHOA code compliance officer, said he visited Carter and told him he received more than 30 phone calls about the crosses, American flag and depiction of the twins towers.

"One woman told me that her grandson was killed in the Iraq war more than a year ago and that it tore her up every time she went by there," he said.

Turiano took a letter from a resident, whose name was withheld, to Carter's home. Parts of it read: "I want to register a complaint regarding the very tacky war memorial that has been erected on Del Webb Boulevard at the intersection of White Mountain. It is very unsightly, and I feel it might encourage others to do similar things.

"Recently we have an influx of people from different backgrounds who have put up displays of statues, artificial flowers and candles. As a third generation Sun Citian, I seen a lot of changes over the years. I would like to see the neat, clean, inviting appearance of Sun City maintained."

Said Turiano: "I never encouraged (Carter) to take it down, but I thought I'd give him an FYI on the situation that was going on. It wasn't me or the association who told him to do anything. That's his prerogative."

Carter, a retired firefighter from Memphis, Tenn., said he designed the memorial that sits on the corner of a back wall facing Del Webb Boulevard, to honor those who have lost their lives in the war and in the attacks on the Twin Towers in New York City that claimed more than 3,000 lives.

"I'm excited that people have embraced the memorial, because I'm just honoring all of the people who sacrificed so much for us in the last few years," he said.