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Memorial statue takes shape This year's Memorial Day celebration in Rice Lake will be another special one. Last year marked the dedication of the Veterans Memorial at City Park. This year, a life-size bronze statue sculpted for the memorial by UW-Barron County professor emeritus Don Ruedy will be unveiled. The artwork depicts a WW II soldier kneeling in prayer, his gun resting against his shoulder. Veterans Memorial Committee member Bill Appleyard said that the statue's presence and solemn beauty will emphasize the sacrifices made by every American who is serving or has served the nation throughout its history "We want this to represent all service personnel," said Appleyard, a Korean War veteran. WW II holds special significance for him, as it does for many committee members, including WW II veterans Russ Brown and Herb Zimmer and the artist. Appleyard grew up in the 1940s and knew many people who were involved in the war effort. "Because of that association, it was easy to see they were special," said Appleyard. "They didn't take anything for granted. "I remember where I was standing in 1941, Dec. 8, when President Roosevelt declared war on Japan. I was 6 years old," Appleyard said. "And where I was standing when bells rang out announcing the war's end." Ruedy donated many hours of labor as well as his artistic talent and skill as a gift to America, to the city and to those who made a commitment to their country that he's never had to face. "I didn't have to fight in that war. I happened to be born at the right time," he said. "I feel like I haven't done anything for my country, and I want to be able to do this because there were a lot of people who gave their lives at a very early age for the war." Ruedy's father worked in an aircraft factory during the day and patrolled California coastal waters by night as a Civil Air Patrol pilot, because his health prevented him from serving with the armed forces. "We cannot take freedom for granted," said Ruedy. "It's not a given." The statue began to move from dream to reality when Appleyard shared his vision with Peter Gorog, a former Rice resident Lake and student of Ruedy's and now a metallurgical engineer with Weyerhaeuser Co. in Kent, Wash. Gorog immediately donated to the project and suggested that the soldier be sculpted by Ruedy, who donated $15,000-$20,000 in time and labor. Credit also goes to WITC-Rice Lake welding student Trevor Thompson of Spooner, who built the armature that forms the statue's foundation, and to Ruedy's 3-Dimensional Design students Annie Makos of Spooner, Randy Kidder of Shell Lake, A.J. Sandok of Chetek and Marie Sulackow of Rice Lake, who assisted him in breathing life into the soldier, putty knife by putty knife of soft, warm clay. The sculpting process was completed last week, and the piece was transported to Milwaukee on Monday,
http://www.chronotype.com/newarticle.asp?T=L&ArticleID=9955 (1 of 2)3/10/2006 3:42:14 AM
Rice Lake Online - 28 South Main
where art professors Lynda Sommers of Alverno College and Charles Kraus of the UW-Milwaukee will collaborate in its bronzing, which is estimated to cost about $30,000. "It's an awful lot of intricate work that they have to do," said Appleyard. The statue will be positioned among the plantings that are adjacent to the flagpoles on the north side of Veterans Memorial. The memorial was built with community donations of more than $115,000. "All of the money that has been raised has been used for tangible things needed for the site and labor for building or put into a trust for maintenance and further expansion and beautification," Appleyard said. Benches honoring the Disabled American Veterans and Medal of Honor recipient Eric Gibson of Rice Lake were installed just before Veterans Day on Nov. 11. The Veterans Memorial Committee invites the community to be part of adding the bronze soldier to the site. "If they feel a need to give to the memorial, they're welcome to give to this cause," Appleyard said. Those who wish to contribute should send checks payable to WW II-Veterans Memorial and designated for the statue to P.O. Box 534, Rice Lake, WI 54868.-03/08//06 by Lynda Olsen Chronotype staff
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http://www.chronotype.com/newarticle.asp?T=L&ArticleID=9955 (2 of 2)3/10/2006 3:42:14 AM