Veterans Memorial Sculpture Unveiled

By Chris Jenkins

BIG CYPRESS — On May 29, members of the Tribal Council, veterans, invited guests and media gathered at the Mitchell Cypress Fitness Trail for the unveiling of a bronze sculpture of a circa 1800s Seminole soldier. The ready-for-battle figure symbolizes the culture and strength of the Seminole Warrior, as well as acknowledges the sacrifices and efforts made by members of the armed forces, past and present.

“The whole idea was to educate some of the younger generation so they can see why this is here and why we do have freedom,” Chairman Mitchell Cypress said.

The artist team of Brad Cooley Sr. and Bradley Cooley Jr. created the sculpture, as well as numerous other bronze sculptures that can be seen on all reservations. Son Cooley Jr. said the soldier is a physical representation of how Seminoles have looked and dressed throughout the years.

“We took features off of different Seminoles around today and incorporated them into him and the regalia and the type of stuff he is wearing is of that period,” Cooley Jr. said. “This fellow represents then, now and the present.

“One of the reasons for picking the time period was because it shows how far back [Seminole veterans] actually started,” he added.

At the unveiling, event emcee Moses “Bigg” Jumper Jr. acknowledged this artistic meshing of time periods.

“This is going down in our Tribal history as a monumental time for us because it is a memorial to the soldiers in the 20th Century, but it is also a memorial to the great warriors we had in the past,” he said.

“I always consider it a privilege to represent my father [Moses Jumper Sr., U.S. Navy] and uncle [Howard Tiger, WWII, Marine],” he added.

Veteran Stephen Bowers said the memorial serves as a reminder of the continual need for Seminole Americans and others to serve their country, and hopes the sculpture will encourage people to enlist. Two-tour Vietnam War veteran David Bob Motlow, who also addressed the gathering, echoed Bowers’ sentiment.

“Our tradition [as Seminoles] requires us to be strong for ourselves and our families,” he said. “The one thing that you do remember is that you are tied with a lot of veterans and soldiers.”

The ceremony rounded out with the Ahfachkee students reciting the Pledge to the Seminole Flag Manteele, Native recording artist Shea singing “The National Anthem” and appearances by Miss Seminole Jennifer Chalfant and Jr. Miss Seminole Alicia Nunez. In addition, there was a Seminole Color Guard presentation, emcee Jumper recited a poem in tribute to the vets and there was a special “Military Taps” performance.