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Ashley salutes WWII heroes

Sculptures feature Blumkin, Norton, Miskelly

By Furniture Today Staff -- Furniture Today, March 27, 2007

AT THE MARKET -- Three members of "the Greatest Generation" stood larger than life in the Ashley showroom here, looking out at an appreciative crowd that came to honor them. The Army was in the house.

Bronze statues of Louis Blumkin, Pat Norton and Howard Miskelly were unveiled to rounds of applause. The statues, mounted on pedestals and flanked by American flags, dominated the lobby of Ashley’s showroom. Norton served in the Army Air Force in World War II, while Blumkin and Miskelly were in the Army.

Work on the sculptures was overseen by long-time sculptor Ron Wanek, Ashley’s chairman.

"These were members of the Greatest Generation," Wanek said. "They were contributors to their community and their industry. And they were contributors to what has been called ‘America’s Century’ — the 20th century."

Howard Miskelly, 81, who helped build Jackson, Miss.-based Miskelly Furniture into a Southeastern power, pulled the drape off of his statue. "This is one of the nicest things that has happened in my life," he said.

As he studied his statue later, Miskelly said he felt "a great sense of pride. We’ve lost some of this patriotism and love for our country, especially the younger people," he said. "Ron Wanek is doing a lot to revive that."

Becca Blumkin Sudbeck, granddaughter of Louis Blumkin of Nebraska Furniture Mart, unveiled his statue. A member of the fourth generation involved at the Omaha, Neb.-based retailer, Sudbeck said Louis Blumkin, 87, "is here in spirit." He has put his "heart and soul" into the business and is a hero to her, she said. "We greatly appreciate this honor," she added. "It will not be forgotten."

She is the daughter of Irv Blumkin. Louis and Irv Blumkin were unable to attend the market.

Retired La-Z-Boy Chairman Norton, 84, said he was "shocked" when he saw his sculpture. "I don’t know that I deserve all the accolades," he said. "A lot of guys did a lot of things in World War II. At times like this I think about the guys I flew with. It’s a bittersweet time."

Norton, who flew 33 combat missions in the Southwest Pacific, noted that a number of his fellow fliers did not survive the war. "When you get home" from the war, he said, "you are blessed."

Norton’s statue will move to Norton Hall on the campus of High Point University. It will be unveiled there at 5 p.m. this Wednesday. The other statues will remain at Ashley during the market.

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Wanek captures three industry warriors in bronze

Apr 8, 2007

Wanek's WWII statues a rare gift to industry

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