Statue of a Sapper
Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri
Clear the way! A stern-faced Revolutionary War Army engineer -- aka Sapper -- stands with his tri-corner hat and a huge ax, ready to hack away at any obstacle to freedom. Sappers, known historically for their ability to clear forests and dig trenches, have usually been big men, but this one -- sculpted by Andrew Chernak -- is nine feet tall. The statue was unveiled on April 12, 2006. A plaque at its base states that, "The Sapper was born in the Nation's struggle for freedom" and defines his role as "to build and defend the country and its vital interests."