ALBIA, Iowa — An important statue honoring American soldiers and veterans was saved from the devasting fire in Albia earlier this week.

The statue — a miniature replica of the Iwo Jima statue dedicated to all the Marines who have died while serving the U.S. — was inside the Edward Jones office when flames ravaged the R.O. Cramer Building in Albia’s town square. Firefighters spent hours battling the blaze that ultimately destroyed the building but were able to save the valuable statue.

Jim Keller, who’s spent the last 20 years working to bring the Welcome Home Soldier Monument to fruition, said the saved miniature statue, along with many others, served as models for the full-size statues that will make up the monument located in Monroe County. Keller said the monument aims to honor every solider and veteran that has served in every war that America has been a part of.

The project is roughly halfway done, and the miniature statues will eventually be on display at the monument’s future visitor’s center. To learn more about the monument visit the Welcome Home Soldier Monument’s website.

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