A big impression

COEUR d’ALENE — A bronze statue standing 6 feet, 4 inches tall and weighing 389 pounds struck a commanding presence Monday morning.

As it should.

“I think this is really an appropriate place for it to be,” said artist Terry Lee. "I like it a lot.”

As Lee and others looked on, a city crew carefully lowered the World War II Army soldier into place at McEuen Park Veterans Memorial Plaza.

It represents the likeness of Bud Ford, the Coeur d’Alene man who commissioned the project.

“Bud really wanted it this way,” Lee said. “He wanted to honor the military."

Lee used pictures of Ford and Ford’s military uniform for accuracy and inspiration.

The statue depicts a strong, proud face looking out from under a helmet. It has “Ford” and “U.S. Army” on the chest. The soldier is holding an M30 carbine, a .45 handgun on his hip, with ammunition clips and first-aid pouches around the waist.

A plaque at the soldier's feet reads, “In honor of the Military that served for the freedom of our Nation."

Under those words is a picture of an eager, young Bud Ford in his military uniform, an American flag in the background.

The Coeur d'Alene City Council earlier this year accepted the donation of the life-size bronze statue to the city’s public art collection. It's valued at $60,000.

Lee's other works that are part of the History Walk at Sixth and Front include “The Miner,” “American Worker,” “Idaho Farmer,” “Idaho Lumberjack” and "The Suffragist.”

The Army solider statue was originally commissioned by the late Bud Ford, who died Jan. 7, 2022. He was 91. His son, Charles Ford, and wife Ginger agreed to the donation.

Bud Ford served two years in the 2nd Armored Division at Fort Hood, Texas, worked as a technician for the Wyoming Air National Guard and served in the U.S. Army Reserve until November 1979, retiring as a lieutenant colonel.

Ford was known and respected for his generosity in Coeur d'Alene and his contributions to the University of Idaho.

He approached Lee in 2021 about making the statue, and the two struck an agreement over a handshake.

It took Lee nearly four months to form the clay into a soldier.

Face details proved to be the most challenging to get right. The belt buckle, the name and shoulder patches also demanded precision.

“I’m always trying to get the perfection part,” Lee said. “That’s the most difficult for me.”

After 25 molds were created, the piece was cast in bronze at Firebird Bronze, a foundry in Troutdale, Ore.

Lee gave the statue a once-over after it was settled into place Monday and nodded his approval.

He believes Bud Ford would have approved.

“I hope he’s happy with it,” Lee said.

Lee is already working on a statue of a World War II nurse, which could eventually join the soldier in the veterans plaza.