Patriotic Horse Finds A Home At Veterans’ Park
OCALA - About 40 people attended the unveiling of a sculpture at the Marion County Veterans Memorial Park on Friday. While the upcoming election was a hot topic for those asked to speak, the gathering mainly commemorated the veterans of Ocala and Marion County.
The day was windy and clear, and for most of the hour-long program, a blue tarp covered the sculpture.
Called "Hero," the horse-shaped sculpture is similar to the statues in Horse Fever, the public art exhibition organized in Ocala several years ago.
Chris Spears, owner of Prestige Auto Sales, commissioned the artwork after he saw local artist Kim Samson's contribution to Horse Fever, "Old Glory," another patriotically-themed horse sculpture. He called Samson a "good friend and customer."
"When I called Kim, her heart jumped out at the chance," Spears said.
Samson painted stars and stripes, the Department of Defense seal and other symbols of patriotism on "Hero."
Samson painted stars and stripes, the Department of Defense seal and other symbols of patriotism on "Hero."
Marion County community resources bureau chief Lee Niblock introduced several government officials, including U.S. Rep. Cliff Stearns (R-Dist. 6) and city of Ocala mayor Randy Ewers.
"In a few days, we're going to elect a new president. Many people don't have these liberties," Ewers said of the right to vote, and thanked veterans for preserving it.
Niblock also reminded the audience of the upcoming election as he praised veterans' service to the country. He held up a sample ballot. "To honor those who couldn't be here because they made the ultimate sacrifice, please go vote," he said.
After the speakers made remarks, Niblock asked the crowd to count down from 10. As they did, the tarp slowly came off the statue as the Spears family and Marion County and Ocala officials gathered in front. They cut a large red ribbon when the crowd made it to "one" and began to applaud.
The side of the horse facing Northeast 25th Avenue shows six local veterans. The third veteran on the left is Dewy Roberson, 85, who served in the U.S. Air Force. He volunteers at the park, and said he hopes the horse draws more people to visit. Samson painted his portrait from a photo Roberson gave to her. "Finest thing it could be," Roberson said of the result. He posed for a snapshot with family members next to the horse.
Spears' young daughter, Savannah, named the horse "Hero," picking it from a list of ideas he gave her.
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