Civil War statue returns to duty

The Civil War statue at Lone Mountain Cemetery will return Wednesday to once again stand guard over its own.

Removed July 20 for an $82,000 refurbishing by Mercene Karkadoulias' Bronze Art in Cincinnati, the soldier will be honored at a re-dedication at 2:30 p.m. Thursday, Veterans Day. The original cost and placement of the statue was estimated at $3,500.

The 17-foot statue was dedicated Memorial Day 1891. Thursday's ceremony will be attended by Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War, Grand Army of the Republic, with re-enactments and speeches.

"It will have all the pomp and circumstance," said Cindy Southerland, cemetery historian.

"The statue will arrive in three pieces and be assembled Wednesday. There will also be two time capsules placed inside the statue this time - one from the Sons of Union Veterans, the other from the city."

When cement from the statue was removed during refurbishing, it was hoped some sort of memento would be found.

"No. There was nothing but cement," Southerland said.

The original statue was in five parts. Karkadoulias' Bronze Art first fixed the pinholes, cracks and corrosion, then placed a protective coating on the inside. The statue was then straightened with stainless steel supports, bolts and screws and had a special formulated coat of blue/gray paint put on it.

A new plaque will be placed on the statue, with an inscription written by Southerland. Southerland wrote the original grant requesting funds for the project.

"This is going to be great and we're really looking forward to it," she said.

Contact Rhonda Costa-Landers at rcosta-landers@ nevadaappeal.com or 881-1223.