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Date: April 21, 2010
Subject: Organizations Kick Off Effort to Restore Iwo Jima Statute
Several organizations are joining forces to raise funds to help restore the deteriorating Iwo Jima Statue located at the base of the Midpoint Memorial Bridge. Their initial event is Friday, April 23 at 11 a.m. at the site of the memorial. The groups will mark the one-year anniversary of the death of Cape Coral soldier Craig T. Fuller, who was killed in an ambush in Afghanistan on April 24. A restoration fund for the statue has been established in Fuller’s name at the Cape Coral Community Foundation.
The organizations are trying to raise $85,000 to help repair the damages that time and the elements have wrought on the famous statute. Cape Coral’s Iwo Jima statue is one of only three original Felix de Weldon historical pieces of art. The groups working to raise the funds include “For the Love of Our Soldiers” Team, the 2nd grade class at Oasis Elementary Charter School, The Marine League, the Veteran’s Foundation and several local businesses.
This is the first of several events scheduled to help raise funds and awareness. These events include:
On May 2 at 9 a.m., a scavenger hunt will be held at Harley Davidson in Fort Myers. Grand prize is a $250 gift certificate from the store.
On May 15-16 from 9 a.m. – 5 p.m., a Guitar Hero Competition (pre-elimination round) will be held at DT Designs & Outstanding Car Care at 877 Cape Coral Parkway East. Registration fee is $25. Awards include $300, $100 and $50 gaming gift certificates.
On May 22 at Jaycee Park from 5 p.m. – 9 p.m., a community event will be held that includes numerous activities and special ceremonies for the military branches. The final competition for Guitar Hero will be one of the highlights. There also will be a dunk tank, rock wall climb, D-Box auto racing simulator, corn hole competition, giant blow-up slide, face painting, caricature artists, etc. Freedom bracelets can be purchased in advance for unlimited access to the attractions (does not include racing simulator). The cost is $12. City officials will be in attendance, with Police and Fire units on location. More than 2,000 attendees are expected.
All proceeds from these events will go toward the restoration of the Iwo Jima statue. For more details on the May 22 event, and to view images of the damage to the statue, visit www.craigtfuller.com.
The media is invited to attend the special kick-off ceremony at the Iwo Jima statue on Friday.
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