This metal feather was taken from one of Saddam Hussien’s palaces after the liberation of Bagdad. It was a part of a crown on a huge portrait bust of Hussien. Central Command wanted it included in some way into the sculpture for the memorial.  I placed the piece on the ground symbolizing the defeat of Saddam. It is near the sole of the soldier’s boot, an insult in Islam. The soldiers have turned their backs on it, symbolic of them moving beyond Saddam and on to the next phase of their duty.