Chris S.
Coray, Reporter
 |
| Photos by Elvira Luzack |
Gaye Johnson, one of Robert’s daughters and speaking for the
family, thanked all who attended, including honoring 3 living Garden City
survivors of that conflict, John Hansen, Dean Cook, and Blanch Hodges. Sculpter Dan Snarr provided remarks about
what an honor it had been for him to have the opportunity to create the
statue. Johnson read from personal notes she had
compiled from discussions with her dad about his war experiences and included
the reading of two letters sent many years ago by grandchildren. Dee Johnson then read the names of those WW
II Garden City veterans also honored on plaques on the statue base, three of
whom gave their lives in the conflict.
John Groll formally dedicated the statue and park.
Musical numbers were provided and concluded with a singing
of “God Bless America” by Robert Calder’s granddaughters and great
granddaughters, with the audience joining in on the final verse. Post 52 of the American Legion provided a 21
gun salute followed by a rendition of “Taps”.
It was a genuinely wonderfull way to observe Memorial Day in
Garden City and the statue now stands clearly and firmly to commemorate the
service of Mr. Calder and all those who served to provide us the freedom we
treasure. The family hopes that it will
always be a place of remembrance, of peace, and of respect.
After what has been nearly two weeks of steady rain the sun
came out precisely in time on a beautiful afternoon for the dedication of a
statue in honor of Robert and Maxine Calder and all the Garden City veterans of
World War II. Sculpted by Dan Snarr at the
direction of the children of Robert and Maxine Calder, the statue was unveiled
and dedicated at a ceremony attended by approximately 200 people on Saturday,
May 23, 2015. The bronze statue, in the
image of Robert Calder as an infantryman in the US Army during the war, stands
in a small park next to the old Calder home.
After what has been nearly two weeks of steady rain the sun
came out precisely in time on a beautiful afternoon for the dedication of a
statue in honor of Robert and Maxine Calder and all the Garden City veterans of
World War II. Sculpted by Dan Snarr at the
direction of the children of Robert and Maxine Calder, the statue was unveiled
and dedicated at a ceremony attended by approximately 200 people on Saturday,
May 23, 2015. The bronze statue, in the
image of Robert Calder as an infantryman in the US Army during the war, stands
in a small park next to the old Calder home.
Musical numbers were provided and concluded with a singing
of “God Bless America” by Robert Calder’s granddaughters and great
granddaughters, with the audience joining in on the final verse. Post 52 of the American Legion provided a 21
gun salute followed by a rendition of “Taps”. 
No comments:
Post a Comment