Inspirational Men

Posted by: Jocelyn Edin

Tomorrow afternoon I will be heading west to Portland, Michigan, my hometown, to pay tribute to two very inspirational men.

The first is canoe legend Verlen Kruger. This amazing man paddled more than four times the distance around the earth, and he didn’t start canoeing until he was 41! He was also a steward of the rivers and spent a good portion of his life working to take care of them. There will be an unveiling and dedication of a life-size bronze sculpture to honor him at a memorial site near the river in downtown Portland.

The second is the sculptor who created the bronze, my father Derek Rainey. He has been sculpting in clay or wax and telling stories through his figures my whole life. He’s been fortunate to have many of these cast in bronze to live on for eternity, including “War Cry”, the Michigan Vietnam Veteran’s Memorial in Mt. Pleasant.

But a perfect fit does not come along like this very often. Not only do these men have similarities; my father loves the outdoors and water, he grew up swimming in Lake Huron and has lived and canoed along the Grand and Looking Glass River for the last 30+ years; but the location of the memorial park and bronze sculpture is in the town he calls home! To top it off, the unveiling ceremony coincides with his retirement from a career of teaching art and history at Portland High School. Following the ceremony, we will continue the celebration and shift our focus to Dad, the best teacher I’ve ever had.

It’s completely poignant and wonderful. I’m so proud of my papa. For more information about Verlen and the memorial visit: www.verlenkrugermemorial.org  For more information about Derek Rainey and his work, visit: www.derekrainey.com

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