In March of 2013, HOPE was proud to unveil the gift of the monument, titled “No Man Left Behind,” to the Marine Corps aboard Camp Lejeune in North Carolina. The monument, sculpted by artist and Gold Star Father John Phelps, brings to life “Hell House,” an iconic photograph taken in Fallujah by combat photographer Lucian Read in 2004.
In April 2004, John’s son, U.S. Marine Lance Corporal Chance Phelps, was killed in action at the age of 19 while serving during Operation Iraqi Freedom. In 2009, the HBO® movie, “Taking Chance” was released, which told the story of the Marine escort who brought Chance back to his hometown of Dubois, Wyoming.
To honor all those who have taken the oath to protect and defend our freedoms, John became involved with HOPE’s Sports and Recreation program, and used his artistic skills to create this iconic monument.
In November of 2014, HOPE gifted a second “No Man Left Behind” monument to Camp Pendleton in California.
Today, the twin monuments now stand before the Warrior Hope and Care Centers at Marine Corps Base East and West in honor of those wounded in the line of duty and those who never returned home.