Lincoln stature restored in Burlington

By Jennifer Eisenbart

Editor

In spite of chilly temperatures and falling snow, a long-time Burlington fixture took up its familiar home Feb. 14.

The city’s Abraham Lincoln statue, which had been pulled off its base in an act of vandalism Jan. 31, was put back in its place and welcomed home with a short ceremony.

Burlington Historical Society president Dennis Tully was one of about five speakers, and started off the activities with a hearty, “Welcome back, Abe!”

Tully also used the words “shock and disbelief” to express the sentiments of many over the vandalism, which was allegedly committed by Jacob Hinds, who has been charged with felony criminal damage to property.

Mayor Bob Miller, who said Sunday that the city would be seeking restitution from Hinds if he is convicted, said repairs are already well over $5,000.

The city received numerous offers of donations to help fix the statue, as well.

Miller spoke at the ceremony, as did Racine County Executive Jonathan Delagrave and Tully.

Miller took the time to thank everyone who had donated either time, money or services for Sunday’s event, as well as the community for its support.

“Burlington, you should be proud,” Miller said. “I know I am. You have once again shown the pride that you have in Burlington, and by coming together, to right this wrong, demonstrates why this is a great city to live, work and play in.”

Sunday’s focus wasn’t on the negative. Instead, most of the speakers focused on the importance of the statue to the citizens of Burlington, and those who came out for the ceremony echoed it.

“We knew it was coming, because of reading the paper,” said Matt Hoffman, who came to the ceremony with his sons, Joey and Matthew. The two youngsters had signs that read, “Welcome back, Abe!” and “We Missed Ya!” and Matt, Sr., said it was important to be at the ceremony.

“We come to Burlington by way of Illinois,” he said. “It bears special significance to me. It’s great to see him back up, and how quickly the community responded.”

The ceremony featured Civil War re-enactors, period music, and – after the pomp – cake, coffee and hot chocolate in the Burlington Area School District administration offices.

Nic Bur, a re-enactor from Waukesha who came down to portray Lincoln, carried on a 25-year tradition of portraying the 16th president.

“I’m an educator by day. I got into it by teaching my students,” Bur said. “I read about it in the paper. It’s really an honor to be here, and see all the community members come out.”