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Ludington Park to get new statue honoring veterans with disabilities

By Sophie Vogelmann 5 min read

ESCANABA -- A new statue honoring veterans -- particularly those with disabilities -- is expected to arrive at Ludington Park near the existing Veterans' Memorial this fall.

The Escanaba City Council at their regular meeting Thursday accepted the donation of a life-sized bronze sculpture honoring WWII veterans from donors Rick and Glenys Hull of Escanaba.

According to City Controller/Interim City Manager Melissa Becotte, the Hulls applied for and received a grant to fund the purchase of the sculpture, which they then donated to the City.

The sculpture, titled "The Last Man Standing," was created by artist Andy Sacksteder of Port Clinton, Ohio, in an open edition of over a dozen statues.

Valued at $61,500, the sculpture depicts a soldier standing around 6 feet tall at salute alongside a bronze wheelchair. The soldier sculpture weighs approximately 200-250 pounds, while the wheelchair sculpture weighs approximately 100 pounds.

Both sculptures will be securely anchored to a 10- to 12-foot diameter circular concrete pad adjacent to the Veterans’ Memorial in Ludington Park.

According to Public Works Director Kent Dubord's agenda item request, "This memorial is intended to enhance the significance of the existing Veterans’ Memorial in Ludington Park by recognizing the courage, service and sacrifices of our nation's veterans."

Public Works expects to have the statue on site to install the first week of November.

Sacksteder, the son of a WW II Navy veteran, was reportedly inspired by his father's tales of war to create the bronze tribute to the last generation of soldiers.

In a 2023 interview with the Rockport Center for the Arts in Texas, Sacksteder said, "Yielding to the inalterable process of aging, the men and women who fought and won the great conflict are now in their nineties and older, and as they pass on, the memories of World War II -- its sights and sounds, its terrors and triumphs -- disappear. I wanted to capture their experience, reflect the glories and horrors of war in the veteran's wise etched face while conveying the great pride and love of country through a hand raised in a timeless salute."

The veteran and wheelchair sculptures are reportedly distinctive and uncommon pieces of artwork found in locations including, but not limited to, Grand Rapids, Michigan; Rockport, Texas; Elmore, Ohio; and Sioux Falls, South Dakota.

Sacksteder was previously commissioned to create various works for public and private displays, including "First and Ten," depicting legendary Ohio State football coach Woody Hayes for a business in Columbus, Ohio, and "Young Ernest Hemingway" for Petoskey, Michigan, where the writer spent his childhood summers.

Under the guidance of Bay Mills Indian Community and the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians, Sacksteder also created bronze statues of Chief Shingabawossin, who reportedly played an important role in protecting the lands and waters of Sault Ste. Marie, and a French fur trader.

Both statues were first displayed in 2018 at the intersection of 3 Mile Road, Mackinac Trail and the Business Spur in Sault Ste. Marie.

In other news, the council:

-- Authorized the submission of an application to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Community Facilities Program for financial assistance for the purchase of one 100-foot Aerial Platform Apparatus Ladder Truck. Council also approved the subsequent purchase of the firetruck if the grant is approved and named Becotte as the authorized representative for all grant documents.

-- Approved the annual funding agreement between the City of Escanaba and the Delta County Historical Society. The City will pay the Society an amount not to exceed $2,000 during fiscal year July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2027, for continued work and new exhibits at the museum and lighthouse.

-- Approved the annual funding agreement between the City of Escanaba and the William Bonifas Fine Arts Center. The City will pay the Art Center an amount not to exceed $5,000 during fiscal year July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2027, for various services to be provided for the citizens of the City, including a minimum of 40 classes in the creative and visual arts and six to eight art exhibits. It was noted in the agreement that, although renovations after the May 2025 fire are ongoing, the Art Center will not be able to provide on-stage plays in the 2026-2027 year.

-- Authorized Public Works to hire Sealer King for $22,362 to resurface the tennis and basketball courts at Royce Park. Work is expected to be completed by the end of September.

-- Authorized Public Works to hire Marquette Fence for $19,500 to install approximately 434 linear feet of fencing at Royce Park. The contractor is expected to complete the fence installation by mid-September.

-- Authorized Public Works to hire Payne and Dolan for $24,200 to pave 26th Avenue South from 22nd Street to 23rd Street. Paving is expected to be completed before the end of August. According to Dubord's agenda item request, this section of 26th Avenue South has been a recurring maintenance concern for many years. The existing asphalt has reportedly deteriorated beyond repair and must be removed before a new pavement surface can be installed. Public Works staff will remove the asphalt surface and other work prior to Payne and Dolan's paving.

-- Authorized the city attorney to file suit in the Delta County 47th Circuit Court against an Escanaba resident to abate property maintenance code violations (blight) occurring on their property on South 12th Street. Escanaba Department of Public Safety (EDPS) Director Darren Smith said several tickets have been issued, and the EDPS attempted judicial litigation in the 94th District Court.

-- Entered two closed sessions -- one to consider material exempt from discussion of disclosure by Michigan statute, identified as negotiation of a collection bargaining agreement; and another to discuss litigation strategy and attorney-client privileged material with legal counsel regarding an ongoing lawsuit, Connor Soderman v. City of Escanaba and former EDPS Officer Cole Tianen.

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Sophie Vogelmann can be reached at 906-786-2021 or svogelmann@dailypress.net.

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