Carrying the lady who carries the torch.
The statue by artist Dexter Benedict depicts service men and women carrying Lady Liberty.

Statue of Liberty Lifted by Soldiers

Dade City, Florida

An unusual patriotic sculpture was unveiled on Veteran's Day in 2010 on the campus of St. Leo University. Officially titled "For Those Who Serve," the 2-ton bronze depicts a representative member from each branch of US military service holding aloft a strutting Lady Liberty. It's like a confidently crowd-surfing Lady Gaga, only this gal holds the Torch of Freedom 22-ft. above Dempsey Plaza, in the St. Leo Student Community Center Complex.

New York sculptor Dexter Benedict spent two years creating the work, intended to show the strong connection between the school and military service. It's somehow perfect for a college campus not conflicted about its heritage of graduates serving in the armed forces. But it includes a nod to underclass antics -- perhaps they are about to toss her through a basketball hoop for a YouTube video!

The group carrying Lady Liberty appear to be heading toward a seated, robed figure -- St. Leo himself. The Saint gestures approvingly at the procession, as if to say "You go, you crazy kids!"

Statue of Liberty Lifted by Soldiers

Address:: 33701 SR 52, Dade City, FL
Directions:: Drive east of San Antonio for two miles on Hwy 52. Turn left and drive through the main gate onto the campus of St. Leo University. The statue is pretty much straight back from the main gate, but you can't drive there. Park, and walk back to the Student Community Center (building with red roof and stumpy bell tower); the statue is just behind it.
RA Rates:: Worth a Detour

More on Statue of Liberty Lifted by Soldiers

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