On Memorial Day 1925, notable figures gathered in Portland to celebrate the dedication of a Joan of Arc statue, commissioned to honor the spirit of a national symbol. The event included speeches, music, and a blessing, reflecting the patriotic ideals of the time. Interestingly, one notable incident in 2012 involved vandalism, where a drill bit was affixed to the statue's head, causing damage. The original statue in Paris was commissioned to uplift spirits post-war, signaling a shared history and cultural connection among several cities that possess replicas.
In 2012, someone taped a giant drill bit to the horse's head, turning it into a unicorn and somehow causing $1,800 of damage.
The Oregonian dutifully reported as plans came about ('With barely ten days remaining for completion of arrangements...').
France commissioned the original statue in 1870 after losing the Franco-Prussian War, a glittering likeness of its patron saint to boost morale.
The Royal Rosarian quartet would sing 'Joan of Arc, They Are Calling You,' a song the US Army fed World War I soldiers to ratify the mythic figure.
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