The Admiral Nimitz Foundation Unveils Historic Statue of Fleet Admiral Chester Nimitz in Downtown Fredericksburg
(PRWEB) February 10, 2014 -- On Friday, February 7, the Admiral Nimitz Foundation presented Fredericksburg residents with a statue of hometown hero Fleet Admiral Chester Nimitz during an unveiling ceremony on at the National Museum of the Pacific War complex’s Nimitz Platz. Admiral Nimitz was born in Fredericksburg in 1885, just one block down from where the Museum currently stands.
One of only two in the world, the statue was commissioned by The Naval Order of the United States and sculpted by world-renowned artist Rip Caswell. Interestingly, the statue faces west, symbolizing how Nimitz achieved greatness to the west from his humble beginnings in Fredericksburg.
Gen. Michael Hagee, president and CEO of the Admiral Nimitz Foundation, moderated the event while Dr. Craig Symonds, Nimitz biographer at the Naval Institute, provided the keynote address and talked to the crowd about the significance of Admiral Nimitz’ impact on WWII in the Pacific. Jeryl Hoover, mayor of Fredericksburg; the Hon. Lamar Smith, U.S. Congressman, 21st Congressional District of Texas; Kent Myers, Fredericksburg City Manager; and City Council Members Gary Neffendorf, Graham Pearson and Sandy Sanford were also on hand at the unveiling of the statue.
“This statue of Admiral Nimitz now looks out on this impressive Museum and a town that launched a brilliant young man on his impressive naval career,” said the Hon. Lamar Smith, U.S. Congressman, 21st Congressional District of Texas. “Chester Nimitz served his country all of his life, from the Naval Academy at age 16 to the signing of the Japanese surrender aboard the USS Missouri.”
The Admiral Nimitz Foundation supports and operates the National Museum of the Pacific War, a property owned by the Texas Historical Commission. The National Museum of the Pacific War is the only museum in the nation dedicated entirely to the story of World War II in the Pacific.
Brandon Vinyard, Admiral Nimitz Foundation, +1 (830) 997-8600 Ext: 205, [email protected]
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