Military Veterans

Clarence Kerns served in the U. S. Air Force during World War II.

The following story involving Clarence is significant to our community and to the Butler County Freedom Memorial.

Between 1949 and 1951, approximately 200 replicas of the Statue of Liberty were purchased by Boy Scout troops and donated to various towns throughout the United States.  The original cost of the statues was $350 plus freight, and they graced parks, main streets, schools, city halls, court house lawns, and capitals.

The project was the brainchild of Kansas City businessman J. P. Whitaker, who was then Boy Scout Commissioner of the Kansas City Area Council.  The copper statues were manufactured in Chicago and purchased through the Kansas City Boy Scout office by those wanting one.  All were erected in the early 1950's by Boy Scout troops and others to celebrate Scouting's 40th anniversary theme— "Strengthen the Army of Liberty!"

Each town provided its own base; El Dorado's is one of the few nationwide to have a star-shaped base.

Clarence Kerns was a Boy Scout leader in El Dorado when our original statue was installed on June 14, 1950.  In 1950—with World War II only five years in the past and the Korean War in full force—he was proud to be involved in the installation of the original "Miss Liberty" on the Butler County Court House lawn.

For the total interesting story of how this statue became part of Butler County Freedom Memorial's history, see "Memorial History" at the Butler County Freedom Memorial web site.

Sergeant

World War ii—1943 - 1945