HARRISBURG, Pa. - A 900-pound butter sculpture was unveiled Thursday by the dairy farmers of Pennsylvania as a tribute to the state's National Guard here at the 93rd Pennsylvania Farm Show.
"Dairy farmers have a long and proud involvement in the Pennsylvania National Guard," said Tom Croner, a Somerset County dairy farmer and chairman of the Pennsylvania Dairy Promotion Program.
"When the Guard first formed, dairy farmers laid down their farming equipment and picked up weapons to fight for our freedom.
"Today, we salute the men and women who work diligently to protect us."
This year's sculpture was donated by the Land O'Lakes plant in Carlisle, Pa., and crafted by Jim Victor of Conshohocken, Pa., who began working on the design in mid-December.
"It highlights the historic sacrifice of National Guard soldiers and airmen, who leave their loved ones behind to ensure our freedom," he said.
The butter scene depicts a uniformed man standing next to the keystone symbol, saluting a family standing in front of a cow.
Army Maj. Gen. Jessica L. Wright, the state adjutant general, thanked members of the Mid Atlantic Dairy Association, the state's Department of Agriculture, and the Pennsylvania Dairy Promotion Program for their efforts.
"The dedication of this sculpture and it's visibility at the Farm Show means a great deal to Soldiers, Airmen and their families," said Wright. "The individuals who make up our National Guard are very dedicated; they do so much for the commonwealth, in addition to the sheer numbers dedicated to the Global War on Terror."
She also recognized the Pennsylvania Airmen serving in more than a dozen countries and the Soldiers of the 56th Stryker Brigade, who recently deployed to Iraq.
According to a press release, at the conclusion of the Pennsylvania Farm Show, the butter sculpture will march across the state to Erie, Pa., where it will be made into biodiesel at Lake Erie Biofuels.
Those attending today's butter sculpture unveiling enjoyed music from "High Altitude" a popular music component of the Pennsylvania Air National Guard Band of the Mid-Atlantic under the direction of Master Sgt. Howard Boots.
Invited guests also included Pennsylvania Secretary of Agriculture Dennis C. Wolff, Blair County dairy farmer and Pennsylvania National Guardsman Ethan England, Pennsylvania Dairy Princess LeeAnn Kapanick and Nelson Habecker of Land O'Lakes.