CLEVELAND, Ohio — The “Lone Sailor” statue on the second floor of the Great Lakes Science Center will soon have a new home.
The statue has been temporarily located at the science center for the past three years but will be moving to North Coast Harbor at Voinovich Park on the waterfront on Oct. 12.
There are a number of statues just like it across the country. The USS Cleveland Legacy Foundation is responsible for bringing one to Cleveland. It honors Navy veterans and those who are currently serving.
“It is really difficult to properly or adequately express the gratitude of the board, of the staff of the USS Cleveland Legacy Foundation for your generosity in this truly once in a lifetime endeavor,” Jim Folk, chairman of the foundation, said during a ceremony Monday afternoon to celebrate the statue.
Cleveland is the 18th city to host a Lone Sailor statue, with the first being installed at the U.S. Navy Memorial in Washington, D.C. in 1987. It depicts a senior second class petty officer sailor who is about 25 years old, according to the U.S. Navy Memorial.
Kristen Ellenbogen, president and CEO of the science center, said during a ceremony Monday afternoon to celebrate the statue, that it will be missed. She added that having the statue, which has been located on the second floor of the science center, demonstrates the connection between STEM and “great service.”
“The military and organizations like Great Lake Science Center understand that STEM, science, technology, engineering, and math, drives so much that’s critical for this nation,” Ellenbogen said.
In addition to honoring the statue, there was a performance by the Warrensville Heights High School marching band and a presentation of colors by Brook Park’s 3d Battalion 25th Marines.
