Fallen Soldier statue to be dedicated

• All Gave Some-Some Gave All

The new Fallen Soldier statue in Fulda overlooks Seven Mile Lake.
• Another front view

The idea for the Fallen Soldier Memorial came about in 2006 from the Fulda Heritage Society.
• Fallen Soldier statue

The Fallen Soldier statue in Fulda was set in place last fall after the cement base was built.

Talk about it

FULDA — On a gray, drizzly day, the bronze statue overlooking the lake in Fulda serves as a stark reminder of the sacrifice many men and women made while serving in the armed forces of the United States of America.

The words engraved on the statue form a familiar phrase, but one that shouldn’t be taken lightly.

“All gave some — some gave all.”

The statue, placed in the Veterans Memorial Park in Fulda, is at the beginning of the park’s walkway. A pair of military boots, a gun and a helmet, all forged in bronze, are there to remind everyone of the dedication and service military members provided.

“It is meant to be a reminder,” stated Doc Schwarz. “Every name on those pavers out there — they all sacrificed.”

The Fallen Soldier dedication will take place at 1 p.m. May 15 at the memorial park. The ceremony will include speakers from the American Legion, the VFW and the Fulda Heritage Society.

Schwartz said the Fallen Soldier memorial was an idea that came about in 2006 from the Fulda Heritage Society.

“Somehow it got dumped in my hands,” he said with a grin. “I also get to kill the weeds between the pavers.”

Between selling the memorial pavers and “beating the woods” for donations, about $84,000 was raised.

“We contacted everyone we could think of,” Schwarz stated.

The statue was set in place last fall after the cement base was built. Behind the statue are four holders for flags.

This particular statue was chosen, Schwarz said, because it is thought-provoking. Placing it at the head of the walkway was done very purposefully, so that people wouldn’t forget.

The memorial park itself was a project that started as an idea in 2005. The site used to be that of the old bath house, where many men and women after World War I would spend time. The bath house was actually built in 1920 in honor of the WWI vets to provide them with a place to rest and relax. The top floor had a bandstand where concerts and dances took place.

Years later, the weeds had grown over, the steps were in bad shape and the bath house was gone. The dressing rooms were taken down in 1944, and the remainder of the building razed in 1981.

Now, the pavers line the path, a gazebo provides a place for people to rest and look out over the water, and the landscaping is blooming with flowers.

“It is just a beautiful place to be,” Schwarz said. “People are down there all the time, taking walks and looking over the water.”

The area has been used for weddings, class reunions and family get-togethers, Schwarz said.

Now, with the addition of the Fallen Soldier statue, each and every person who passes by will think about the men and women, both past and present, who have served their country. That is Schwarz’s hope.

“All gave some — some gave all,” Schwarz said, quoting the words on the statue. “Dedicated to the memory of all who proudly served and protected their country.”

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