'Never forget': Sculpture to honor first responders unveiled on 9/11

The Cape River Heritage Museum unveiled a new sculpture Sunday -- a stainless-steel incarnation of the promise many Americans made to "never forget" the events of Sept. 11, 2001.

The piece is dedicated to the memory of those who were killed during the terrorism attacks that day, as well as to the men and women who serve Cape Girardeau as police officers, firefighters and paramedics.

Cape Girardeau Mayor Harry Rediger said the sculpture, on the lawn of what used to house Cape Girardeau's fire and police station at different times, was a fitting tribute to those killed on 9/11.

"Fifteen years ago today, I think we all have a vivid memory of that day, etched close in our minds," Rediger said. "How it rocked our country, and how it continues to do so."

But he said the first responders that day and American citizens in the years to follow defined the nation's character.

The new sculpture honoring police officers and firefighters is seen after its unveiling Sunday at the Cape River Heritage Museum in Cape Girardeau.Fred Lynch

"It isn't the buildings," he said. "It's never been the buildings. It's the people that made the difference."

The statue, crafted by Southeast Missouri State University head sculpture professor Chris Wubbena, is titled "Esprit de Corps," meaning "Spirit of the group."

"The sculpture you're seeing right here is a thank-you," Wubbena said.

The sculpture's stainless steel, he said, was made to shine in the sunlight and change with the evening sky.

"It's something that doesn't tarnish," he said. "Something that's triumphant. Something that glows."

Fred Kraft, the son of Bernhardt Kraft, Cape Girardeau's first paid fire chief, is recognized Sunday at the unveiling of the new sculpture honoring police officers and firefighters at the Cape River Heritage Museum.Fred Lynch

Instead of straightforward representation, Wubbena said, the piece is intended to explore and convey the essence of an idea. Curves that from one angle look like a tongue of eternal flame seem almost dove-like from another angle.

The sculpture was paid for by the late Dr. John Holcomb. Until the ceremony, sculpture's benefactor had remained anonymous.

"He loved the city of Cape Girardeau," said his wife, Judith Holcomb. "He did everything in his power to help people realize what a good community we have."

Members of Cape's first-responders departments attended the ceremony, as well as 94-year-old Fred Kraft, the son of Bernhardt Kraft, Cape Girardeau's first paid fire chief.

The current fire chief, Rick Ennis, as well as police chief Wes Blair, spoke during the ceremony. They thanked the Cape Girardeau community for their continued support and paying tribute to the victims of 9-11.

Blair said he, like most Americans, remembers vividly where he was that morning.

At the time, he was a patrolman in Lancaster, Texas, near Dallas. He recalled watching the news and knowing the world had changed.

"My career and my life would not be the same because of that," he said.

Before the ceremony, he said the attacks added a new and heavy perspective to cops' approach to policing.

"It's a reminder that we in law enforcement are charged to not let something like this happen again on our soil," he said. "We can't let our guard down."

Mayor Rediger said the day marks an opportunity for citizens to be mindful of the responsibilities shouldered by first responders.

"Remember. Reflect. Honor. And respect," he said. "We need to respect our public safety servants."

tgraef@semissourian.com

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