EOS North America, and Texas Fallen Project 3D printed 600+ customized stars to memorialize Texans lost in combat since 9/11.
3D Printing Industry interviewed Bobby Withrow, Founder of the Texas Fallen Project, who took this initiative to social media, to learn more about honoring the fallen heroes. The project was backed by Michael House, Senior Systems Administrator at EOS North America. According to the company, veterans have been instrumental to EOS North America’s growth and culture, with 15% of the company comprised of those who’ve served.
“The one moment in time that made everything worth it was when a Former Soldier walked up with his family, a wife and young daughter. The Soldier asked if his friend he lost in combat operations was possibly on the trees. While I was looking through my master list to make sure, his young daughter, 4 or 5 years old, walked right up and found his friend’s star. It was a moment that was meant to be,” said Bobby Withrow, Founder of Texas Fallen Project.
How did this initiative serve the fallen and their families?
House and the Additive Minds team at EOS created custom stars etched with the name of a Texan killed in the line of duty, allowing loved ones to locate their star among veterans who died fighting for a better future. The team also printed 50 stars for those who remained anonymous. Following the ceremony, the gold stars were installed at the Round Rock Recreation Center, where they will remain until the 2022 holiday season.
The stars were created with an in-house EOS P 396 industrial 3D printing system. PA 2200, a polyamide powder material that the company values for its durability, versatility, and biocompatibility, was employed to create the commemorative stars.
The company describes the city and community support as “outstanding.” Thousands attended “Light Up The Lake,” and Texas Fallen Project volunteers assisted families in taking hundreds of photos with the Trees and Stars. Future plans include updating the list of those from the state of Texas who have died since 9/11. The team is also reportedly working on a list of Emergency Responders whose lives were taken in the line of duty – police, fire, and EMS, as well as the Canines, lost.
The Texas Fallen Project, Inc was founded in July 2019. The company claimed to have traveled thousands of miles across Texas, Arizona, Washington, DC, West Virginia, Louisiana, Kentucky, and Virginia to not only honor the fallen and their families, but also to bring supplies, cook BBQ, and provide assistance to those affected by disasters.
Over the past eight years, the Texas Fallen Project had been looking for new ways to Honor the Fallen and their Families that could be shared not just by the families but also by the community. As a result, The Texas Fallen Project, Inc. was formed, which teamed up with the City of Round Rock and the Parks and Recreation Department. Within the last year, the company formed a Veterans Coalition with Veterans from other non-profits, built a Flag Plaza, held Memorial Day and Veterans Day ceremonies, and positioned 4,000 American flags on 9/11, as well as Gold Star Trees, which were unveiled at the Cities “Light up the Lake.”
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Feature image shows 3D printed gold stars to honor the fallen heroes. Image via Texas Fallen Project.
