One soldier is standing, the other kneeling. They are positioned in opposite directions.
Each has one foot touching. Both are clutching M4 rifles. Their eyes are wide open.
The sculpture, titled “America’s Defenders,” is believed to be one of only a few nationwide that represent a female soldier in combat from the War on Terror and perhaps the only full-size example in bronze produced in the U.S., according to its creator, Michael Kraus, curator of Soldiers & Sailors Memorial Hall & Museum.
It has been installed outside the museum in Oakland and will be part of the museum’s program in observance of Memorial Day.
It also will serve as a centerpiece of a project called Remembrance Park to renovate the museum’s large front lawn and brick plaza that could break ground next year.
“They are defending each other,” Kraus said. “They have each other’s back.”
Courtesy of Becky Chearney
Becky Chearney (second from left) poses with husband Joe Chearney and their daughters Makenzie, 13, and Kaelyn,10, at a private unveiling of the "America’s Defenders" statue at the Soldiers & Sailors Memorial Hall & Museum in Oakland on May 19, 2022. Becky Chearney is the model for the female soldier in the sculpture.
The piece was modeled after real soldiers — Becky Chearney, 39, of Scranton, who lived in Greensburg for 10 years until 2018, and Justin Bakow, 34, of Franklin Park. Both served in the 28th Infantry Division for the Pennsylvania Army National Guard. Both signed the piece, as did Kraus.
“This is incredible how Michael brought this to life,” Chearney said.
Chearney, a wife and mother of girls Makenzie, 13, and Kaelyn, 10, is still serving as an E-7 sergeant first class. The Erie native served in Iraq in 2005-06. She teared up looking at the sculpture.
“That’s me,” she said. “Women were out there with the guys. I can’t put into words how grateful I am for being a piece of history.”
Previous wars saw women in supporting roles. More recent conflicts saw women in combat. That’s why it was important to Kraus to include a woman in the sculpture — to give equal weight to women’s contributions, to show that soldiers’ sacrifices are equal regardless of gender.
“I want it to be soldiers and not a male and female soldier,” Kraus said. “Just soldiers.”
Courtesy of Justin Bakow
Justin Bakow (left) with wife Cami and their sons, Austin, 3, and Daniel Bakow, 1.
Bakow, a sergeant first class, was emotional while talking about the sculpture. He is married and has two sons, Austin, 3, and Daniel, 1. He was 19 when he first began serving in Iraq and said when he looks at the sculpture he sees other soldiers.
“That seems like a lifetime ago,” said Bakow, who served for 15 years. “I am honored to be part of this. Michael’s dedication to this sculpture is amazing. It’s so authentic. Every small detail is there.”
Bakow said the 28th Infantry Division patch — a keystone — on the soldiers’ uniforms is one of many details people will recognize.
The sculpture is one of four statues on the museum’s grounds. There is a bronze statue above the front doors called “America” — sometimes referred to as “Lady America,” the “Statue of Victory” or “Lady Victory” — that has been at the main entrance since the museum opened in 1910.
Two 15-foot bronze statues guard the front entrances of the building. They were dedicated May 5, 1923. The soldier statue is called “Parade Rest” and the sailor is called “Lookout.”
Beginning at 11 a.m. Monday, there will be a presentation in memory of the 300 Pennsylvanians who died in Afghanistan and Iraq since 2003. Then guests will be directed toward the newest piece, which has been years in the making for Kraus.
He discussed the idea for the sculpture in 2006 with then-museum CEO Ron Gancas and made some early sketches for the project.
When the discussion came about as to where to place and how to properly mount the statue on the front lawn, the museum consulted with a veteran-owned architectural firm that suggested the creation of Remembrance Park.
The project will result in a place to remember and honor service members and veterans in an outdoor environment. The vision of the park is to create a tranquil landscape, but it will include a usable green space and accessibility ramps, said museum CEO John McCabe of Plum.
He said he hopes public and private fundraising lead to a groundbreaking in 2023.
“This sculpture will be the heart of Remembrance Park,” said McCabe, who was a major in the Army Reserve. “It will be the anchor and the cornerstone and will honor the next generation of veterans.”
For now, the newest sculpture will be located on the right side of the building on Bigelow Boulevard.
Kraus, of Oakland, consulted with Chearney and Bakow to make sure the figures were authentic — from the equipment they have to the clothing and boots they are wearing.
Soldiers personalize their gear from the CamelBak to body armor. A dog tag is visible in the male’s boot. The woman’s hair bun is visible under her helmet.
Pittsburgh-based Colcom Foundation fully funded the project, Kraus said. He declined to say how much the project cost.
According to Kraus, the newest sculpture represents the global war on terrorism. He said he wants those who served to walk by it and say, “This is how we looked, and this is how we carried our equipment.”
He said the piece will “open a door” for people to talk about their time in the service and for others to discuss a way to honor and remember all veterans.
Bakow said he plans to bring his sons to the museum and talk to them about the statue.
“I will explain what happened and what I did by pointing to all the gear and telling stories,” he said. “This sculpture is an amazing contribution to my generation … and all the generations that follow. I am proud to have been a part of it. It represents so much.”
JoAnne Klimovich Harrop is a Tribune-Review staff writer. You can contact JoAnne at 724-853-5062, jharrop@triblive.com or via Twitter .
https://triblive.com/local/newest-statue-at-soldiers-sailors-museum-to-be-unveiled-memorial-day/
2022-05-29 09:01:00Z
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