Sioux Falls Statue to Honor Fallen Soldiers
Local News
by
Matt Johnson
last edited on
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
October has been the deadliest month in Afghanistan during the eight years of war there.
Twenty-seven South Dakota soldiers have lost their lives during the operations in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Now the family of one of those soldiers is creating a memorial in Sioux Falls for fallen South Dakota troops.
"Going Home" is a statue Rex Rolfing and his family saw for the first time the night before they found out son Robb had been killed in Iraq.
"We had it as part of his funeral service and then decided it would be a good thing to give to the city in remembrance," says Rex.
The Rolfing family spent two years raising over $160,000 to get a new 10.5 foot statue of "Going Home" done.
The statue, made because of Robb Rolfing's sacrifice, will be placed at Veteran's Memorial Park, a place that honors the sacrifices of all American soldiers.
"It's not just Robb, it's every person whose family or anybody in their family that has sacrificed for the United States."
Trees will surround the spot where the statue will be placed, giving the area an enclosed feel for observers.
"Almost a chapel area for people to come and contemplate what has happened to our country and what happens to people when they give the ultimate sacrifice, that hopefully an angel will pick them up and take them to their heavenly resting place," adds Rex.
Rex believes that's where his son is now, and he says when the statue is unveiled the sight will be an emotional one.
"It's gonna be a beautiful, beautiful thing."
The "Going Home" statue will be unveiled to the public on Nov. 7 at the Veteran's Memorial Park in Sioux Falls.