More than $30,000 was raised to make the long-discussed statue a reality from donations of school children’s nickels and dimes to several community fundraisers and contributions by businesses, organizations and individuals.
The bronze statue, named “Remember Why,” is the work of Timothy Schmalz of Ontario, Canada.
It features a modern GI wearing fatigues kneeling beside a girl, pointing to engraved bricks with veterans’ names that are featured at the memorial park.
Local residents Chad Johnson and his daughter, Allison, who posed for the sculpture, were on hand for the dedication.
Re told how Schmalz, who had read about the community’s attempts to secure a statue for the park on the Internet, had his agent contact the local committee to find a way to make the sculpture affordable.
At the time of contact, Schmalz, known for his religious themed statues and sculptures, was interested in creating a sculpture with a military theme to recognize today’s soldiers. He agreed to work with the committee on a design and sculpture if it could raise around $30,000 needed to make the project a reality.
“It’s great to know the community came together and made this happen,” said Mayor Dee Gillis. She read a proclamation honoring the dedication of the statute to all who have served the country.
Tippecanoe High School graduate Col. Timothy Willoughby, U.S. Army retired, asked in the closing prayer for the park and memorial to be a site of remembrance and celebration, and an inspiration for people to serve their community.
Re said Schmalz also donated a smaller statue, again with a military theme, to help the committee get a solid start for a future fund to help pay for care of the veteran’s park. That care now is being donated.
Details of a fundraiser to be centered on the smaller statue are being put together, Re said.
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