It has been designed to pay tribute to the Leicestershire servicemen and women who have lost their lives around the world since 1945.
But it is the faces of the members of the next generation of the armed forces that grace a new war memorial at County Hall, in Glenfield.
Yesterday, the £75,000 sculpture of four life-size bronze comrades standing at ease was unveiled to war veterans, serving officers and trainee soldiers.
The four figures represent the Army, Royal Air Force (RAF), Royal Navy and Royal Marines and a plaque reads: "They stand among us."
Seven students from Welbeck Defence Sixth Form College, near Loughborough, were used as models for the sculpture and were present at its unveiling.
Ben Bolton, 17, said: "It was a real honour to be a part of something that is going to represent the sacrifices the forces have made.
"It gave me a sense of pride in my chosen career and I hope when people see the memorial they feel the same sense of pride in our armed services."
Fellow student Jenna Clark, 17, said: "Our faces were used to create moulds for the sculptures. It was done using a mix of seaweed and other things and it was really good fun to do – very relaxing, actually.
"I'm very proud to have been a part of it."
Blaby MP and armed forces minister Andrew Robathan led the unveiling yesterday, watched by dignitaries including Lord Lieutenant Jennifer, Lady Gretton, Bishop of Leicester the Rt Rev Tim Stevens and Chief Constable Simon Cole. The ceremony featured a parade by former and current service personnel and an Army bugler.
After the unveiling, the Bishop dedicated the memorial and Mr Robathan, Leicestershire County Council chairman Peter Lewis and Lady Gretton laid wreaths.
Korean War veteran Michael Outridge, 83, of Oadby, who was a staff sergeant in the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers in the 1950s, said: "It think it's an excellent memorial, it really is.
"It's not just a block of stones – it shows people as they really are and it's a marvellous tribute."
Retired RAF bulldozer driver Paul Savage, 77, of Hinckley, who served in Cyprus, said: "They're very good statues.
"The location isn't very open to the public but I'm very happy they've done this."
After he unveiled the memorial, Mr Robathan, who is a former SAS officer, said: "It is right and fitting that we commemorate the valiant efforts of our armed forces and it is a great honour for me to launch this memorial."
Peter Roffey, the Royal British Legion county president, welcomed the new memorial, which was created by Scottish sculptor Kenny Hunter.
He said: "I'm delighted that the memorial project has now become a reality.
"Kenny Hunter has done a superb job translating his design concept into a memorial which will be as relevant to future generations as it is today.
"It is a fitting tribute to Leicestershire's heroes who make the ultimate sacrifice."
For more about Remembrance weekend events, see pages 15 and 16.
For more pictures of the unveiling of the sculpture, visit:
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