Statues rejuvenated at Sunset Lawn Cemetery
Guardians of the symbolic Unknown Soldier graves in Harrisburg's Sunset Lawn Cemetery received a new<span class="s1">,</span> lifelike appearance when artist and cemetery employee Raymond Gunning finished painting the statues in realistic colors last week.
The statues were originally placed in 2003 and 2004 after Don Cooper, a disabled veteran and VFW and American Legion member, raised over $3,000 in donations for the project.
"I always wanted to put statues out there for the Unknown Soldiers," Cooper said. "And (since 2003) everyone has been enjoying them."
With the donations, Cooper purchased two male statues and one female statue from the Raleigh Ready Mix company. Until last week, they were painted gray. Now, the statues are painted in lifelike colors. The statues reflect the diversity of the armed forces, with one representing a female solider and one black solider.
After raising funds for the Harrisburg cemetery, Cooper's statue project extended into other cemeteries in the area, including cemeteries in Carrier Mills, Creal Springs, Galatia and Stonefort.
A mail carrier for 32 years in Harrisburg, Cooper served one year in Korea from 1952 to 1953 during the Korean War. Like many veterans, he came back with scars, mental and physical. He said the statue project was a way for him to honor his fellow veterans, and especially the soldiers who remain unknown.
"I'm really proud of this place," Cooper said. "It just seemed like it was perfect."
Cooper's first wife, Barbara, is buried across the small cemetery road from the statues. Cooper will also be buried there after he passes.
"That's where I'll be buried, and where better than across from those beautiful statues?" Cooper said.
The veteran encouraged families to go out and visit the statues this Memorial Day, Monday, May 25. The George Hart American Legion Post No. 167 annual Memorial Day program will take place at Sunset Lawn Cemetery, 1300 W. Sloan St., at 10 a.m. In case of inclement weather, the event will be moved to 600 E. Logan St.
According to the City of Harrisburg's website, Sunset Lawn Cemetery is the largest in Saline County and was founded in 1880. The remains of many of the city's original founders and prominent residents are contained in ornate tombstones and crypts.