В Милуоки вернут утраченный меч к памятнику «Дух служения»

The large granite block might not look like much to walkers in Milwaukee’s Juneau Park. Those who look closer might notice a small slit etched on the top. This was where a bronze sword once sat. Decades ago, the sword was stolen from the stone. Now, a new sword will be returning to the Spirit of Service monument, which was established in 1926. Understanding Wisconsin, Together. WPR’s “Wisconsin Today” newsletter keeps you connected to the state you love without feeling overwhelmed. No paywall. No agenda. No corporate filter. The monument has words engraved on the sides that read, “The good citizen in thoughts and deed embodies loyal service to enrich the common life,” along with other messages. The nonprofit Juneau Park Friends is leading the project. “It really can be overlooked quite easily if you’re walking along the sidewalk,” Chris Rute, a Juneau Park Friends board member said about the monument. “I suggested let’s replace the sword, and take it back to its original intent to represent the Arthurian legend.” The monument was inspired by the legend of the Sword in the Stone, a tale about how King Arthur took the throne after pulling a magical sword out of a stone. The re-introduction of the sword also comes as the monument celebrates its 100th anniversary. The original sword was stolen sometime before 1947. The thief remains a mystery — contrary to the legend, he or she did not become sovereign of the realm. Rute said he received some concerns about the sword from other board members at Juneau Park Friends about promoting war imagery. He said he brainstormed other ideas for the sculpture with the help of artificial intelligence. The AI suggested a chalice, tree of life and a quill and scroll. “We debated on it, and we came up with the idea that we really want to restore it to its original condition, and we’ll have to get a sword,” Rute said. Rute said the new sword will cost $5,000. The group receives funding through membership dues and endowments. They hired an artist through Vanguard Studios and are hoping the sword will be completed by the end of the year. Recently, the studio created a proposed model out of clay, but the real one will be made out of bronze. The new sword will be much harder to pull out of the stone said Rute. He said it will be sealed into the granite, making it hard for people to replicate the robbery from decades ago. “The ability to get it out is going to be require at least a King Arthur,” Rute said. “Could somebody steal it just for the sake that they’re going to put it up on their living room wall? We’ll hope for the best, and that we don’t have a repeat.” Wisconsin Public Radio, © Copyright 2026, Board of Regents of the University of Wisconsin System and Wisconsin Educational Communications Board.