CITY'S FREEDOM CORNER RENOVATION UNDER WAY

Four eagles were removed Wednesday from their perches on top of the four brick pillars at Capaha Park's Freedom Corner. Taking down the eagles was the first step in a reconstruction project undertaken by the Cape Girardeau American Legion post.

The columns, built in 1942, are in danger of being lost because of damage from weather and time. The columns have been tuckpointed and repaired numerous times over the years, but Charles Woodford, who is spearheading the project for the Legion, said the columns are beyond repair and must be replaced.

Earlier this month the Legion started a fund-raising campaign to gather the $5,000 needed for the project. About $1,000 has been collected, which made Legion members confident enough to begin the project.

The eagles will be refurbished and a few cracks repaired. Then they will be stored until the new brick pillars are complete.

Within the next few weeks the plaques will also be removed, cleaned and stored.

Bricklayer Local 23 will provide volunteer labor to rebuild the columns.

"We're still not sure how to take them down," Woodford said.

Freedom Corner grew from a decision to honor Cape Girardeau County men and women who were serving in World War II.

In 1942, honor rolls were suspended from the pillars listing those in the county serving in the war.

In 1943, two large eagles were mounted atop the center pillars. The eagles came from the salon of the steamer Bald Eagle and were donated to the American Legion post by the Eagle Packet Line.

The eagles have a wingspread of 56 inches and are 44 inches high. One is made of copper, the other of zinc.

After the war, the honor rolls were removed. On May 30, 1950, the first of the memorial plaques was dedicated to honor Cape Girardeau County servicemen killed or missing in action during World War II. Since then plaques have been added honoring those from the county who died in World War I, Korea and Vietnam.

Also in 1950, a replica of the Statue of Liberty was presented to the city by the Boy Scouts. The corner of Capaha Park became known as Freedom Corner.

The corner was refurbished and rededicated in 1990. Two concrete eagles were added to the other pillars during a rededication ceremony in 1990.

But now the pillars are literally crumbling, Woodford said, and must be replaced.

Individuals and organizations wishing to make donations to help rebuild the columns have several options.

Donations can be mailed to American Legion -- Freedom Corner, P.O. Box 531, Cape Girardeau, Mo. 63702.

Donations can also be made at any of the facilities of the following banks: Boatmen's, First National, Roosevelt, South East and Union Planters.