Freedom Monument

Freedom Monument
The Freedom Monument, manufactured by Sunburst Memorials of St. Cloud, Minnesota, were installed on June 5, 2026, as a permanent addition to the City of Marquette Public Art Collection. Located within the central fountain plaza of the Marquette Veterans Memorial Mall at Harlow Park, these twin podiums are crafted from a combination of polished “Veteran’s Gray” granite and high-contrast black granite. Functioning as interactive civic podiums, each structure weighs 3,500 pounds and is engineered to serve as a permanent educational landmark and civic platform for the Upper Peninsula community.

Artwork Overview and Context
This public installation consists of two monumental granite podiums integrated into the commemorative landscape of Harlow Park. Envisioned by the late Ron Katers and brought to fruition by his wife, local educator Iris Katers, the project establishes a space for community dialogue and reflection. The structures are permanently etched with the Preamble to the U.S. Constitution and the second paragraph of the Declaration of Independence. Strategically positioned where pedestrian paths intersect from Washington Street, the surrounding walkways mimic arms embracing the plaza. The podiums are precisely oriented to catch the direct rays of the sun, causing the polished surfaces to visibly glow at solar noon.

Material Construction and Symbolism
Engineered for durability, the heavy bases and structural tops are carved from traditional gray veteran’s granite, the material utilized in military monuments throughout Washington, D.C. The historic quotes are deeply etched into the black granite faces and lined in brilliant white inlay to ensure legibility. Every physical element carries intentional civic meaning: the “Veteran’s Gray” granite symbolizes that the foundation of American freedom is structurally supported by the sacrifices of veterans. Designed as functional speaking platforms rather than static monoliths, the structures link physical action with historical memory. When a speaker leans on the podium to exercise their free speech, they physically lean on a testament to the millions of service members, women, and children who sacrificed to secure those constitutional liberties.