The community efforts for the installation of an “Iron Mike” statue at Soldotna Creek Park continue and have garnered statewide attention.
Soldotna’s Veterans of Foreign Wars Post began the efforts last year after local Vet Herb Stettler came up with the idea and pitched it to the City of Soldotna.
Stettler: “The city came forth and put a nice it has all the monument in there its got the three flag poles and its got a pedestal with 5 sides and has all of the 5 branches of the service, so we want to top it off with a real nice statue.”
Iron Mike is a de facto name of monuments honoring service men and women; the original statue was designed by Leah Hiebert in the 1950’s and placed outside of Ft. Bragg.
Although the VFW is not asking the city for any funds to create, ship, and install the approximately $48,000, five foot, bronze and granite statue, Soldotna signed a resolution supporting the project in January.
Meredith: “Well to see that it’s a statue that was put on top of the monument, the City Council’s went along with us so good on this, and it was a community effort. It wasn’t just the VFW, it was everyone. I’m so proud of them that they made that and then to get this topped off with the statue, it’ll be beautiful.”
VFW Post commander Mike Meredith said they want it to represent the local community with donations from them, however a VFW Post in Bethel has committed to donating.
