Veterans' statue unveiled

As the rain-covered tarp was pulled over the six-foot bronze statue, Scott Lennard felt relieved. Nine months of pressure-packed work went on public display Monday when Lennard’s first life-sized monument was unveiled at Riverfront Park. Receptive applause broke the subdued event as the statue was introduced.

The centerpiece of the memorial created by the Lincoln County Veterans Memorial Foundation portrays a World War II-era veteran pulling a wounded, modern soldier to safety as he continues to fire his weapon.

Lennard began with a conceptual sketch drawn by local artist Todd Berget.

“I listened to a lot of veterans discussing ideas,” Berget said. “We worked with seven or eight poses and came up with something that visually expressed the idea to Scott.”

Lincoln County Veterans Memorial Foundation member Brent Teske credited the public’s high level of support for expediting the process to the point where the statue could be introduced on Veterans Day.

The statue sits atop a six-foot, five-sided granite slab commemorating the five branches of the military. The quick, informal presentation was preceded by a prayer led by Pastor Philip Alspaw of Libby Christian Church.

“The freedom that we love does not come cheap,” Alspaw said. “It comes on the backs of the men and women willing to give their lives.”

Six rows of red bricks — representing the blood lost in the name of freedom — engraved with Lincoln County veteran’s names surround the monument. There are 377 in place with at least 100 more already purchased.

Five granite benches are also yet to be installed. Names of donors will be etched into four of the benches while the fifth will feature the names of every  Lincoln County veteran killed in action since World War I.

Approximately $25,000 remains to raised. Most of the money will go toward completing payment for the statue. A lighting system that will illuminate the monument and make it visible to passersby driving on Highway 37 over the Kootenai River is also yet to be installed.

A former taxidermist for 20 years, Lennard has worked as a sculptor for 12 years.

“I was unsure I was the guy for the job at first,” Lennard said. “But the committee convinced me. I’ve never thought faces and people were my forte. I’ve mostly done wildlife.”

Lennard worked every day for three months shaping the original clay sculpture.  The statue was finished in a foundry Friday in Kalispell. The finished bronze is one-quarter inch thick with a standard, sprayed-on patina.

“It is great to see that it means so much to the veterans and families,” Lennard said. “I wanted to be sure to do a job worthy of honoring their sacrifice.”

Those interested in contributing to the monument should call Timberline Auto Center at 293-4128 or Kootenai Cobbler at 293-9211.