Lone Sailor Monument Coming to Voinovich Park

May 19, 2024

The USS Cleveland Legacy Foundation is installing and maintaining the Lone Sailor monument at the Northwest Corner of Voinovich Park on Lake Erie, after Council recently approved the installation. 

The monument pays tribute to the men and women who have served, are currently serving or will serve in the U.S. Navy and raises awareness of the future Navy ship, USS Cleveland, currently under construction in Wisconsin and scheduled to be commissioned in Cleveland in 2025. 

The Lone Sailor statue is the iconic symbol representing the United States Navy Memorial’s mission to Honor, Recognize, and Celebrate the men and women of the Sea Services, past, present, and future; and Inform the public about their service. 

These statues provide a reminder to active duty, veterans, and civilians that they serve a grateful nation. The Navy Memorial's Statue City Program began in 1997 with the placement of a Lone Sailor statue at Recruit Training Command in Great Lakes, IL. 

The Lone Sailor monument was designed by sculptor Stanley Bleifeld, who enlisted in the Navy during World War II. The original statue arrived on station at the U.S. Navy Memorial in Washington, D.C. more than 30 years ago. 

Today, there are 17 replicas, with Cleveland being the location of the 18^th.  The USS Cleveland Legacy Foundation plans to also make  improvements to the area surrounding the statue which include installing new pavers, four benches and two donor walls.