They say everything happens for a reason. It was difficult to determine what that reason was after damage was discovered to the Serving Hands public art exhibit that graced the Veterans Administration grounds in southeast Lincoln.The Cost of Freedom,” had been admired by motorists as they passed the VA Campus at 600 S. 70th Street. It was unveiled there last summer and was moved in late October to the Pinnacle Bank Arena, where it and 50 other pieces of art were sold at a public auction to benefit Campus Life, the art project’s non-profit sponsoring organization.
A spirited bidding process at the public auction – led by the Lincoln East Rotary Foundation, veterans and other supporters – resulted in a winning bid of $16,000. The local group of patrons succeeded in their quest to have the revered sculpture returned to the southwest corner of the VA grounds.
That lasted about a month. The day after Thanksgiving, high winds ripped “The Cost of Freedom” from its outdoor base. The damage created a crack between the sculpture’s extended hands and fingernails and ripped apart an area where the American flag had been painted, according to Duane Tappe, an East Rotary Club member who spearheaded the fundraising effort.
Duane Tappe informed the Lincoln East Rotary Club about the damage down at a club meeting. It was time to make some calls. The Veterans Administration came to the recuse. There were two guys who are military veterans and are employed as maintenance workers at the VA – Stephen Stanislav and George Andringa – they agreed to work on it. Among the improvements for the new-and-improved sculpture an 8-foot by-8-foot platform, twice the size of the original.
Tappe said he bribed them with chocolate. They did a great job. It’s secured much more safely … and the VA supplied all the materials. Local artist Tammy Miller, whose creative flair enhanced the appear of the original piece, volunteered to add “touch-up” enhancements. Four months after the damage was first reported, the restored sculpture made its debut March 10.
In retrospect, Tappe said, the VA’s decision to move the sculpture has led to increased visibility from South 70th Street and improved security. It’s really a better fit for that area. The new location offers nearby parking. There’s also a bench for those who would like to take a closer look, snap a photo, and contemplate the meaning of the symbolic piece of art. The hand sculpture is designed as a tribute to the sacrifice of America’s military veterans. It will become a permanent fixture ready to welcome the new $23.9 million VA outpatient clinic that is scheduled to open later this year.
(Taken from an article written by Dennis Buckley for the Neighborhood Extra)