EDMOND — It’s been 50 years since the original Lady Liberty was dedicated by a group of Boy Scouts, but Sunday’s rededication of the statue at Second Street and Boulevard was just as meaningful now as it was the, several scouts said.
The Edmond Visual Arts Commission, the Edmond Historical Society, LibertyFest volunteers and the Boy Scouts sponsored the rededication of Lady Liberty and about 70 people attended the ceremony.
In 1951, Edmond Boy Scouts raised money to erect the statue, which was one of 200 statues made to celebrate scouting’s 40th anniversary theme, “Strengthen the Arm of Liberty.”
“The rededication of the Statue of Liberty is a centennial project for the LibertyFest,” said Bob Meinders, president of LibertyFest 2007.
The new statue cost $17,000, which was raised through various fundraisers. June Cartwright, chairwoman of the Visual Arts Commission, said LibertyFest volunteers raised half the money, mostly through Taste of Edmond, and asked the commission to provide the other half.
She said the statue was recast at Crucible in Norman from a mold of the original statue.
Meinders said the original statue will be on display at the Edmond Historical Museum.
Bob Thomas, a Boy Scout at the original dedication, said it was important for him to represent the Boy Scouts at the rededication in honor of his father. His father, John, was a Boy Scout leader at the time of the original dedication in 1951.
“I think the honor is that it (the statue) is kind of a legacy on another 50 years as a symbol of freedom and independence,” he said. “I think, like then, it shows the involvement of the Boy Scouts and the community.”
Stuart Earnest Sr., an Explorer Scout at the original dedication, said being a part of Boy Scouts of America and being a part of the dedication is important to him because it helped him get a job as a U.S. Marshal.
Earnest said he believes President Ronald Reagan’s attitude toward law enforcement and character and his own background of being an Eagle Scout helped get him appointed.
Earnest said the reason Boys Scouts and the rededication are so important to him is because his dad was gone a lot with his job in the oil business. Being a part of Boy Scouts taught him the same honesty, integrity and the precious meaning of freedom that is still being taught today to the boys and girls of Boy Scouts.
Carol Morales, Cub Scout leader, said it is real important from a leadership point of view to teach the boys to be a part of the community. She said about 16 local boy and cub scouts were present at the rededication and participated in a flag march from the statue to the Edmond Historical Museum.
Morales said a new statue was necessary to preserve the original statue, which was being worn down by the weather.
“The Statue of Liberty means a lot to our country and to our families,” said Mayor Dan O’Neil.
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June 25, 2007
Lady Liberty returns
Several Boy Scouts from original dedication attend
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