Union workers will be volunteering their time to build the memorial and at Monday’s groundbreaking ceremonies they also pitched in, sponsoring a barbecue for the 1,000-plus crowd who came for speeches, a picnic, music, and children’s activities.

The memorial will feature a statue of Lindberg, who in 1945 was part of a team of Marines who scaled Mount Suribachi during the battle for Iwo Jima and hoisted an American flag. (A second flagraising that took place hours later, however, was immortalized in the famous photo by A.P. photographer Joe Rosenthal).

Years later, Lindberg is finally getting credit due.

“I’m sure glad to see this,” Lindberg told the crowd.

“It’s a huge honor to have him as part of our organization and a veteran, said Rodger Kretman, Local 292 president.

Local 292 will bestow further recognition on Lindberg June 6, naming a new training center in St. Michael in his honor. “It’s part of what we’re trying to do to retrain our members — the pride and the dedication,” Kretman said.

At the dedication ceremony, Richfield Mayor Debbie Goettel recognized the unions who will be volunteering to build the memorial: IBEW Locals 292 and 110, Pipefitters Local 539, Laborers Local 563, Iron Workers Local 512, and Amalgamated Transit Union Local 1005.

Lindberg (above, in wheelchair) was joined for a photo by several other Iwo Jima veterans. Everett Pettiford, IBEW Local 292 business agent (below), sang the Star Spangled Banner. Photos by Steve Share