An artist’s rendering of the proposed memorial statue. Image: Daily Pilot
Remembering those who made the ultimate sacrifice is an important, noble gesture. On July 6, Newport lifeguard Ben Carlson jumped in the water while on duty to save a struggling swimmer but didn’t make it back to shore alive after what is estimated to be a 10-foot wave ended his life. The swimmer he rescued lives on. Now, two months later, an article on The Daily Pilot suggests a local Newport Beach group hopes to erect the above statue in his likeness at the Balboa Pier, right by the Newport Beach Junior Lifeguard headquarters.
Ben’s father, Chris has a positive outlook: “It’s amazing how such a bad event, the worst event in my life, has triggered so many positive things and used the resources that were right there among Ben’s close circle…We’re looking to keep Ben fresh in people’s minds.”
The proposed project is headed up by the Ben Carlson Memorial and Scholarship Foundation, which hopes to unveil the structure on July 2, 2015, his birthday. For now, Mayor Rush Hill suggested, at a City Council meeting that “naming rights” will be explored in his honor. Possibilities include naming the Newport Beach lifeguard headquarters or the Junior Lifeguards program after Ben Carlson.
Here is a gallery of images and an accompanying article from Ben’s memorial paddle out held in Newport Beach.
