A park in Lewiston received a new sculpture that honors veterans.

A hand-crafted bald eagle was installed at Veterans Memorial Park Monday.

The eagle was a collaboration between Matthew Carr of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and James McCain, director of the Maine-based nonprofit Eagles for Veterans.

Eagles for Veterans has created more than 20 eagle sculptures, mainly for veteran organizations and nonprofits in Maine and across the country. 

“We thought we were going to carve one for the Veterans Cemetery in Pittsburgh, but (Carr) insisted he wanted to do one for Veterans Memorial Park,” said McCain.

The design is based on the 1872 work of John Haley Bellamy of Kittery, according to McCain.

“As soon as James told me he wanted an eagle in Lewiston, I told him I’d start right up on it,” said Carr. “With Bellamy being from Maine, I knew this had an extra-special significance and I realized that I needed to do this.”

Carr said the eagle is made of sapele, a wood like mahogany, cut, glued and worked on with power tools to get the bird's rough shape. He then said he used hand tools and gauges for the finer details.

According to McCain, the Lewiston project took 175 hours to complete.

The project was important to Carr, who served in the US Marine Corps.

“It definitely hits close to home, and I feel proud that I’m able to make a difference for people here at this park,” Carr said.

This difference was also felt by local officials, such as Lewiston Mayor Carl Sheline.

“Lewiston has a long history of veterans and their service to our country, so placing this eagle honors that,” Sheline said on Monday.

Auburn resident Paul St. Clair, who served in the Marines during the Vietnam War said the eagle is an important gesture toward remembering the many names etched on the plaques at Veterans Memorial Park.

“It’s rewarding. We put so much time and effort into fighting for our country, and it’s still good to see people remembering the fallen,” said St Clair.