A Tower of Reflection and Remembrance
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The 45-foot Beirut Peacekeepers Memorial Tower stands at the heart of William R. Gaines, Jr. Veterans Memorial Park, honoring the 241 lives lost in the Beirut bombing. Within its three stories, visitors can explore interactive educational displays that recount the Peacekeepers' mission and a timeline of significant events from 1982-1984. At its core, 241 rods form a powerful art installation, symbolizing light breaking through darkness and reflecting the sacrifices of those who served.
At the apex of the tower, visitors are greeted with sweeping views of the park, surrounding communities, and Charlotte Harbor. This "tower with a view of freedom" invites all who ascend to reflect on the courage and commitment of those who fought to preserve liberty, connecting earth to sky in a tribute to their legacy.
client/owner
WRGj Veteran Memorial Fund
Project information
location
Port Charlotte, FL
size
40 Acres
Status
In Construction
Karl Bernhard, AIA
Karl Bernhard grew up in New Orleans, where the city's rich architectural history and vulnerable, storm-prone environment shaped his early passion for resilient design. Inspired by the interplay between urban life and the surrounding swamplands, Karl developed a fascination with how the built environment can respond to and reflect nature. This connection drove him to pursue architecture from a young age, blending creativity with an understanding of place, emotion, and function.
Now based in Sarasota for over a decade, Karl continues to focus on designs that balance resilience, sustainability, and human-centered experience. He’s a mentor, collaborator, and active member of the AIA, committed to shaping the next generation of architects. Outside the studio, Karl finds inspiration in martial arts, inline skating, and exploring nature with his family—pursuits that echo his ongoing search for harmony between the human and natural worlds.
Shane LaMay, AIA, NCARB
Shane LaMay, a rare Florida native, attended the University of Florida, graduating with a degree in Architecture. He studied at the Vicenza Institute of Architecture in Vicenza, Italy, before returning to earn his Master's degree from the University of Florida Citylab, in Sarasota. Shane interned at Sweet Sparkman while attending Citylab, producing work so exemplary that his role evolved into a permanent position, and ultimately, a partnership.
As a Principal of the firm, Shane leads a diverse portfolio spanning coastal, residential, and cultural projects, with a particular affinity for work that is deeply rooted in place and community. A respected voice in Sarasota's built environment, he serves as a member of the City of Sarasota Planning Board. His dog Guinness remains a beloved fixture of studio life at Sweet Sparkman.
John Bryant, AIA, LEED AP
After receiving a degree in music at Grinnell College, John received his Master of Architecture from the University of Maryland School of Architecture, Planning, and Preservation in 2007. At the University of Maryland, he received the Dean's Thesis Award and the 2007 David M. Schwarz Traveling Fellowship, which allowed for thesis research in Japan.
No one benefited more than Sweet Sparkman Architecture and Interiors when John and his family decided to move to Sarasota. His highly effective design and project management skills were instrumental in projects such as the Ringling College of Art + Design's Basch Visual Arts Center, Fruitville Elementary, and the New College Master Plan. His work with the Siesta Key Beach Pavilion has earned two awards: 2015 Florida Association of AIA: Merit Award for an Object for the Siesta Key Beach Pavilion's picnic shelter and a Finalist for the SRQ Magazine: Building of the Year. His work on Fruitville Elementary has earned the firm the coveted national 2017 Brick in Architecture Award K-12 given by the Brick Industry Association. John's prolific body of work during this period compelled the Florida / Caribbean AIA jury to award Sweet Sparkman the 2018 Firm of the Year.
Designed in Collaboration With Hello June Creative.
Ⓒ Sweet Sparkman Architects, Inc. 2026, All Rights Reserved. License: AR0015832