Window to the River Memorial
The memorial in Julia Davis Park honors the fallen pilots of two helicopter crashes that occurred in 2014 and 2021. It is meant to pay tribute to the pilots and their service to our city, state and nation, while providing family, friends, fellow service members and the community a place to find peace.
The site includes stone markers featuring each pilot’s name, decorative metalwork and benches for reflection. The donated artwork was sculpted by artist Benjamin Victor and installed in February 2025. It depicts s a life-scale design of a falcon, blackbird, and American flag. In the artist’s words, it creates a dynamic connection, inviting viewers to reflect on the sacrifices made by these men in the defense of our freedoms. The solemn flight of the two birds — the call signs for each helicopter crew — signifies their undaunted spirit, forever moving forward, carrying the values and the weight of the nation they served.
The five pilots will never be forgotten:
- Chief Warrant Officer Stien P. Gearhart
- Chief Warrant Officer Jon L. Hartway
- Chief Warrant Officer Jesse Anderson
- Chief Warrant Officer George “Geoff” Laubhan
- Chief Warrant Officer Matthew Peltzer
The Window to the River Memorial is located along the Boise River Greenbelt, between the Gene Harris Bandshell and Zoo Boise in Julia Davis Park. It is open daily from sunrise to sunset.