SIMI VALLEY, Calif., April 13, 2012 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- To honor the life of one of the greatest American presidents of the 20th century, plans have begun to commission a statue of Ronald Reagan which will be erected on the beautiful grounds of the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library and Museum in early 2013. The statue will capture this iconic leader at ease on horseback, preserving the rich western heritage and pioneering spirit of America.
This life-size statue of Ronald Reagan, entitled Along the Trail, will be located next to the renowned Air Force One Pavilion at the Reagan Library, with the pristine landscape as the backdrop. The sculpture is the second "In a Trail" series created by artist Donald L. Reed of River's Edge Foundry in Beloit, Wisconsin.
"There were few things Ronald Reagan enjoyed more than riding a horse," said John Heubusch, executive director of the Reagan Foundation. "Capturing that joy and spirit with a statue at the Reagan Library is something the president would have loved."
"President Reagan was one of the most influential and transformative leaders of the 20thcentury," said Diane Hendricks, owner of River's Edge Foundry, LLC. "His beliefs transcended partisan politics and reflected his desire to bring freedom and opportunity to every American citizen, as well as to freedom-loving people around the globe. His optimistic spirit and unwavering belief in America, and everything it stands for, make President Reagan one of the most beloved U.S. Presidents in modern times. It is a privilege and honor for River's Edge Foundry and its renowned sculptor Donald L. Reed to be selected to create the "Along the Trail" sculpture for the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library and Museum."
"I am honored to create this bronze sculpture of President Reagan, astride his favorite horse El Alamein," stated the "Along the Trail" sculptor, Donald L. Reed. "For centuries to come, visitors from around the world will be able to touch the reins of his horse, have their picture taken with President Reagan and walk away with a remembrance like no other."
As President Reagan would have wanted, no taxpayer dollars will be used to fund the statue. Diane Hendricks is joining with the Reagan Foundation to help secure the $1.75 million required for the Along the Trail Statue Campaign.
About the Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation
The Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation is a non-profit, non-partisan organization dedicated to the promotion of the legacy of Ronald Reagan and his timeless principles of individual liberty, economic opportunity, global democracy, and national pride. It sustains the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library and Museum, the Reagan Center for Public Affairs, the Walter and Leonore Annenberg Presidential Learning Center and The Air Force One Pavilion. Located in Simi Valley, California the Library houses over 55 million pages of Gubernatorial, Presidential and personal papers and over 40,000 gifts and artifacts chronicling the lives of Ronald and Nancy Reagan. It now also serves as the final resting place of America's 40th President. www.reaganfoundation.org
About River's Edge Foundry, LLC
Innovative in its approach to create fine art, River's Edge Foundry, LLC is located in Beloit, Wisconsin. The studio foundry is run by master sculptor Donald L. Reed, and is one of the largest studio foundries of its kind. The foundry manufactures and distributes limited-edition bronze and silver sculpture to customers worldwide, including fine art galleries, institutions, private collectors and civic organizations. Subjects vary greatly from nature-inspired concepts to portraiture. River's Edge also creates Reed's monumental outdoor commissions and special projects. http://www.riversedgefoundry.com/
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