Statue of Ernest Burke facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Statue of Ernest Burke |
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|---|---|
| Artist | Austen Brantley |
| Completion date | 26 June 2021 |
| Movement | Sculpture |
| Subject | Ernest Burke |
| Dimensions | 200 cm (78 in) |
| Weight | 250 pounds (110 kg) |
| Location | Havre de Grace, Maryland, U.S. |
A special statue honors Ernest Burke, a famous baseball player. This statue is located in Havre de Grace, Maryland. Ernest Burke was born in Havre de Grace in 1924. He passed away in 2004. The statue was made by a sculptor named Austen Brantley. It was put up in Millard Tydings Memorial Park in 2021.
Who Was Ernest Burke?
Ernest Burke was a talented baseball player. He was born in Havre de Grace, Maryland. He played in the Negro Leagues. These leagues were for Black baseball players. He played for the Baltimore Elite Giants. Ernest Burke played from 1946 to 1949. He was a great third baseman and pitcher.
Burke's Military Service
Before playing baseball, Ernest Burke served his country. He joined the United States Marine Corps. This was during World War II. He was one of the first Black Marines. He fought in the Pacific War. At that time, military groups were not mixed. Black and white soldiers served in separate units. Later, these units became integrated.
About the Statue
The idea for Ernest Burke's statue started in 2016. The Havre de Grace City Council supported it. They wanted a memorial for Burke. Mayor Bill Martin hoped to help fund the statue.
Building the Memorial
Many people worked to make the statue happen. Fundraising efforts helped collect money. Camay Calloway Murphy led these efforts. The statue was finally unveiled on June 26, 2021. It stands as a tribute to Ernest Burke. The statue also includes two special baseball seats. These seats were given by the Aberdeen IronBirds.
