Those words, spoken by world-renowned sculpture/artist Ted Long of North
Platte, describe his efforts in creating the larger-than-life bronze sculpture
that now graces the entrance to the 20th Century Veterans Memorial in
North Platte.
The Defenders of Liberty, a bronze sculpture created by a veteran for
veterans everywhere, was something Long said he had visualized doing before
the memorial was even thought of.
"It's from my past experience in the military and in Korea,"
he said. "I was about to do it on my own when they came to me and
talked about it."
Long said his original plan was to sculpt a much smaller version of the
1,500 pound statue that now stands proudly in Iron Horse Park at the crossroads
of Interstate 80 and U.S. Hwy 83. Indeed, before the massive sculpture
could be completed, Long still had to create a small version of the statue.
The statue took a few months to complete, but it was several years before
enough money was raised for the large version to be completed. Once he
was given the go-ahead for the final sculpture, it took about six months
to produce the clay version.
Long said it wasn't long before the project became an all-consuming part
of his life.
"My wife came out to the studio a couple of times when we were working
on it and turned off the light and said, 'It's time to go in,'" he
said with a laugh. "I would get so involved in it and I'd just lose
track of time. I would look up and it would be 2 or 3 a.m."
Upon its completion, the sculpture was sent to a foundry in Paonia, Colo.,
where it was carefully cast by longtime friend and fellow veteran, Bob
Zimmerman.
"I knew that he would know what I was trying to do," Long said.
Ted Long was born on February
5, 1932, in North Platte, Ne. He attended North Platte High School and received
numerous art internships, but has had no formal art training.
Most of his work covers 1800s Western U.S. culture; his paintings and sculptures
of the American West are extremely detailed and heavily researched. Long
resides in North Platte in a historic, century old log cabin, but his work
is known in New Mexico, Germany, Arizona, Wyoming, and Minnesota.
Commemorative
bricks to honor a veteran are still available for $150. The veteran's
name, branch, rank, which conflict and any medals awarded can be
placed on the bricks.
Those who donate $10,000 or more to the memorial will receive the
smaller version of Ted Long's "Defenders of Liberty" bronze
sculpture. All donations are tax deductible.
For more information about the 20th Century Veterans Memorial or
to purchase a commemorative brick, contact Wilma Salisbury at the
Memorial Office, located in the Pawnee Hotel, 221 E. Fifth, North
Platte, NE 69101. The phone number is (308) 532-6579 and hours are
from 1 to 5 p.m. Monday-Friday.
You can also contact the Mid-Nebraska Community Foundation or log
on to www.20thcvetsmem.org
After the sculpture was cast, it
was then carefully driven back to Nebraska by Zimmerman's wife, Mary.
The Defenders of Liberty were then placed in their permanent home at the
entrance to the 20th Century Veterans Memorial. The sculpture was dedicated
during an emotional Veterans Day ceremony on Nov. 11, 2003.
Although the massive project is complete, Long has had little time to sit
back and rest on his laurels. He still has several more pieces to complete
for the memorial, including six bronze sculptures representing the U.S.
Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Coast Guard and Nurse Corps.
He will also sculpt two life-size eagles which will be perched on the corners
of the archway and a dove and a globe that will grace the center of the
archway.
Long said there is no completion date set for the memorial because it will
depend on how long it takes for funds to be raised for various components
of the project.
"If we can get more bricks sold and more
funds raised, it will go much faster," he said.
Still, Long remains proud of all that has been accomplished so far, especially
the Defenders of Liberty, who will forever watch over the veterans memorialized
in the park.
"This will probably be my Mount Rushmore," he said with a laugh.
"I think I will have a total of about 10 bronzes out there and where
do you go from something like that?"
NPTSummer 2004 Issue
Main:
Commemorative
bricks to honor a veteran are still available for $150. The veteran's
name, branch, rank, which conflict and any medals awarded can be
placed on the bricks. 
North
Platte Traveler 
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