New monument at Iditapark celebrates U.S. Constitution

WASILLA — Harold Newcomb considers himself an upstanding American.

“I’ve always been kind-of a patriotic guy,” said Newcomb, a former Wasilla mayor.

So when a monument bearing the U.S. Constitution’s preamble and excerpts from the Bill of Rights is unveiled on the Fourth of July during a dedication at the Iditapark, Newcomb hopes the monument will promote education about one of the country’s most cherished documents.

“I just wanted to do it for the benefit of young people who don’t know about the Constitution,” Newcomb said about bringing the monument to Wasilla.

Newcomb and the Wasilla Sunrise Rotary Club hope the 6,000-pound slab of granite stone will help convey the importance of the Constitution and its message.

“Everybody who sees the monument and reads the inscription will share some of Harold’s passion for the freedoms we all enjoy and, hopefully, not take them for granted,” said Dan Kennedy, international service director for the Sunshine Rotary Club.

The purpose of the project is to give a community gift, Kennedy said, adding Newcomb donated thousands of dollars to help fund the completion of the monument.

Wasilla Public Works Director Archie Giddings said the monument has not been lifted into place at the Iditapark yet, but will be ready for the Independence Day celebration, scheduled to begin at 10 a.m. The monument will be placed near the flags representing the U.S. Armed Services in the Iditapark.

“We’re definitely on schedule,” Giddings said. “It’s pretty exciting.”

Kennedy said the Rotary Club hoped Gov. Sarah Palin would headline the dedication, but the club will not know until Monday whether she will be able to attend. The dedication will be followed by a parade and a community picnic at 11 a.m. and noon, respectively.

“A lot of people call me about it and talk to me about it — congratulations, and that sort of thing,” Newcomb said.

A charter member of the Wasilla Sunrise Rotary Club, Newcomb said he will try to attend the ceremony despite being on dialysis.

Now that the construction aspect of the project is almost complete, Kennedy hopes the monument will become a Wasilla asset for years to come.