Iron Range Veterans Memorial Soon To Be Completed

"Honoring Those Who Served"
IRVM Mission Statement

As read at his 2007 funeral by his son Scott, some of Richard Edstrom's parting words were: "Always keep veterans and members of the armed services in mind". Dick served in the U.S. Marine Corps in the 1950's. Brother Russell was a sailor and brother Oscar Jr. was a paratrooper. Their father, Oscar Sr., was a member of Yoki-Bergman American Legion Post 220. The Iron Range Veterans Memorial dream (11 years ago) was very important to many including Dick as the first vice-chair of the IRVM committee. The non-profit was formed in 1998 for the sole purpose of collecting funding for a memorial for those who served.
Alongside Dick were others such as Don Tekautz , Bunny Isaacson, Larry Cuffe, and Floyd Jaros. Other now inactive initial supporters over the years have been: Bob Givens, Phil Carlson, Evelyn Raida, Larry Asbach, Dario Cuoco, Shawn Carr, and Barb Sanderson. Larry Lapatka, Ralph Harvey, Marge Pearsall and Dick Edstrom have passed away but the mission to build and complete this tribute still lives and moves forward. Current IRVM committee members are: Tom Berrigan (chair), Jim Lustig (treasurer), Louise Grams (secretary), Chuck Pottsmith (pavers), Jim Wilson, Jake Varoga, Don Tekautz, Larry Cuffe, Richard Obidowski and Charlene Luoma (vice chair).
The committee members have either been in active service themselves or have had relatives and loved ones who served. Thousands of Iron Rangers have served our country and deserve to be honored. During World War II, St. Louis County casualties were the highest in Minnesota. Ely had more men and women serving per capita than any other U.S. city. An unusually large number geographically of Vietnam war deaths were from the Iron Range. The sacrifices, injuries and deaths in addition to the iron and steel provided for war efforts places this area in a significant light for a monumental tribute to be erected.
Phase I in Virginia City Center Park near Bailey's Lake was completed in 2006 and is debt free. It includes memorial granite markers representing losses from five conflicts, lighting, circular handicapped accessible sidewalks, flags, statue underlay preparations, sod, landscaping and most importantly individual pavers. They bear items such as: names, branches of service, units, and deceased veteran's date of death. There are hundreds installed with room for hundreds more and purchases are steady. Pavers can be purchased or donations made through IRVM, Box 35, Virginia, 55792, Servicemen's Club (229 Chestnut St., Virginia Mn. 55792), or by calling Tom Berrigan 749-5362 or Chuck Pottsmith 741-8775.
Phase II is nearing completion and it's "when" not "if" that motivates everyone. Estimated completion date has been moved up to September 2009. It is a 26 x 13' bronze eagle sculpture that shields eight life size statues representing all military branches, five conflicts, both sexes and many ethnic groups. The artist, Gareth Andrews (Zim) is finalizing his work at the Crucible Foundry in Norman, Oklahoma. The estimated completion costs including freight transportation of $ 12, 500 and installation costs of $ 5,000 amounts to approximately $ 150,000.
We need everyone's help to complete this dream that has lived for over a decade and will honor those who served and those who are presently serving as well as being a beautiful tourism tribute to this entire area. A brief Memorial Day tribute will be held at the IRVM Bailey's Lake site on Monday following the Greenwood Cemetery program that is scheduled for 10. Everyone is welcome. Our mission statement is "Honoring Those Who Serve". Please join us in this honor.
(Photos courtesy of The Crucible Foundry, Norman Oklahoma showing local artist Gareth Andrews (Zim) working on the clay portion of the sculpture prior to the metal pour displayed in another one of the photos).