Above and Beyond, (sculpture).

Above and Beyond, (sculpture).

Brodin, Rodger M., 1940- , sculptor.

Above and Beyond, (sculpture).

Richard Keith Sorenson, (sculpture).

Commissioned May 1990. Dedicated May 27, 1991.

Digital Reference:

Sculpture: bronze; Base: brick and red granite.

Sculpture: approx. H. 6 ft. 10 in.; Base: approx. 3 ft. 6 in. x 4 ft. 10 in. x 2 ft. 6 in.

R. M. Brodin / 5/27/91 (On granite slab beneath field gun:) Above and Beyond / This tribute to those who have honorably served in the uniform of the United States / Military Services was a commission of Roger M. Brodin by the Anoka American Legion / Post 102 and dedicated on Memorial Day, May 27, 1991. It is a symbol of the American / Service men's spirit and will to go above and beyond the call of duty to protect this country's / freedoms and to lay their lives on the line for their fellow man. (On base of raised platform:) IN MEMORY OF THOSE / FROM ANOKA WHO SERVED (On plaque in front of marine:) Medal of Honor / awarded to / Richard Keith Sorenson / Rank and Organization: Private U.S. Marine Corps Reserve, 4th Marine Division. Place and Date: Namur Island, Kwajalein Atoll, Marshal Islands, 1-2 / February 1944. Entered Service at: Minnesota. Born 28 August 1924, Anoka, / Minn. Citation: For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life. Above and Beyond the call of duty while serving with an assault battalion attached to the 4th Marine Division during the battle of Namur Island, Kwajalein Atoll, Marshal Islands, on 1-2 February / 1944. Putting up a brave defense against a particularly violent counter attack by the enemy / during invasion. / In Memory of Anoka's Dead / of All Wars signed

War memorial consisting of a statue of a marine (Richard Sorenson) atop a brick base with an inscription plaque placed in front, a brick lectern adorned with seals for each branch of the armed services, a raised platform featuring a red granite flame flanked by two granite slabs, a field gun atop a granite slab inscribed with the dedication, and seven flagpoles. The figure of the marine is dressed in full combat field uniform, a machine gun held over his proper right shoulder, and a rifle slung across his back. The seven flagpoles are for the American flag, the POW/MIA flag, and the flags for each branch of the armed services.

History -- United States -- World War II

Portrait male -- Sorenson, Richard Keith -- Full length

Occupation -- Military -- Soldier

Dress -- Uniform -- Military Uniform

Object -- Weapon -- Gun

Emblem -- Military Insignia

Outdoor Sculpture -- Minnesota -- Anoka

Administered by American Legion Post 102, 400 West Main Street, Anoka, Minnesota 55303

Located John Wood Park, Anoka, Minnesota

Commissioned by the American Legion Post 102 in honor of Minnesota War Veterans, especially Richard Sorenson, a Medal of Honor recipient from Anoka who saved the lives of his comrades by throwing himself on a live grenade. The City of Anoka built the statue's base, the lectern and installed the flagpoles. This is reportedly the only World War II memorial of its type in Minnesota. IAS files include a newsletter from the American Legion Post 102 and text of nearby commemorative plaques.

Save Outdoor Sculpture, Minnesota, Minneapolis - St. Paul survey, 1995.

The information provided about this artwork was compiled as part of the Smithsonian American Art Museum's Inventories of American Painting and Sculpture database, designed to provide descriptive and location information on artworks by American artists in public and private collections worldwide.

Inventories of American Painting and Sculpture, Smithsonian American Art Museum, P.O. Box 37012, MRC 970, Washington, D.C. 20013-7012

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