Statue honors Steven Stayner's legacy

[Kadie]

Monday, Aug. 30, 2010
Statue honors Steven Stayner's legacy
By VICTOR A. PATTON


Ashley Stayner's grin couldn't have been more radiant Saturday as an indigo blanket was pulled from a luminous bronze sculpture of her father, Steven Stayner, immortalizing his heroic legacy for generations to come.

Meanwhile, a musician played a somber bagpipe rendition of "Amazing Grace," while a large crowd of family members and admirers stood captivated by the more than 8-foot-tall memorial, as others laid a colorful assortment of flowers at its stone base.

It was the first time Ashley Stayner, who is currently serving in the U.S. Air Force, had seen the sculpture depicting her father and Timothy "Timmy" James White, the 5-year-old boy Steven Stayner rescued from a pedophile in 1980. "He really inspires me every day," said Stayner, 24, looking up toward her father's sculpture. "I really aspire to be like him."

Saturday's unveiling of the Steven Stayner and Missing Children's Memorial at the 26th and M streets entrance of Merced's Applegate Park was the momentous culmination of seven years of efforts by residents to create a special monument recognizing Steven Stayner, dedicated to all missing children.


Read more: http://www.mercedsunstar.com/2010/08/30/1549099/statue-honors-steven-stayners.html#ixzz0yCApJmm5




SUN-STAR PHOTO BY LISA JAMES Nicholas Higgins, 9, a 2nd cousin of Steven Stayner, lays a rose at the base of the statue after the Steven Stayner and Missing Children Memorial dedication service in Merced Saturday. August 28, 2010

Read more: http://www.mercedsunstar.com/2010/08/30/1549099/statue-honors-steven-stayners.html#ixzz0yCBHn6Sp


more pics at link...

[XemaSab]

1. Um, why does it look like Stayner is the pervert here?

Someone who didn't know the story couldn't be blamed for getting the wrong idea.

Also, I'm surprised they put up a monument to anyone named Stayner in that neck of the woods. :o

[hlthe2b]

2. I'll be the first to admit, I thought of Cary Stayner when I saw this...

as the name had some vague recollection for me. Upon googling, it appears this must have been the reason the statue was delayed for so long, since the locals feared association with the mass murdering older brother.

A nice memorial to Steven, nonetheless.