Memorial Committee Sells First Statue

Editor

CANTON—During a special ceremony Friday morning, Henry Lewis was presented the first finished bronze statue of the kneeling soldier, to benefit the Van Zandt County Veterans Memorial Plaza.

Lewis was the first to purchase the numbered statues which were sculpted by local artist Ed "Pappy" Pickett.

Van Zandt County Veterans Memorial First Director Ronald "Red" Montgomery presented the statue to Lewis.

"We need to make a statue of Red down there at the memorial," Lewis said; adding the work that Montgomery has put into making this dream a reality for the county.

Lewis said Montgomery first came to him with the idea for the memorial and said it would cost an estimated $100,000 to break ground.

"I said no one has raised $100,000 for anything in this county," Lewis said. "…This would not have taken place without Red."

"Thank you for giving me the opportunity to be the first," Lewis said.

Pickett pointed out that Lewis has donated land for use in such things as car shows, turkey shoots, etc. to use toward fund-raisers for the Veterans Memorial Plaza.

Montgomery then presented David Cline who was the second person to purchase one of the statues and was also on hand to receive a statue.

"I want to thank everyone for the opportunity to be the second recipient," Cline said. "This means a lot to me… and Mr. Lewis deserved to get the first one (statue). We are proud to be a part of this tribute…I’m honored."

Pickett also told everyone about the canteens on each side of the kneeling soldier which were sculpted by James and Dustin White.

The boys are son’s of Laniece White whose husband Sgt. Steven White died in August 2003 in Iraq.

Once the canteens were finished, they were never touched again and remained roughly carved by the White boys in memory of their father.

A contest to name the kneeling soldier statue is currently under way within Van Zandt County schools.

The student who picks the award winning name for the statue will be awarded a $100 personalized brick in the plaza and a certificate of recognition for naming the statue.

The bronze statue stands 10 inches tall, sits on a wood base and has medallions of the five military branches. They are $950, and a $400 deposit is required to place the initial order.

For more information about the statue, or to place an order, call the memorial foundation at (903) 567-0657.