(Columbia) July 13, 2006 - A once fallen tribute is being restored all because of the man behind the mask.
Two months ago the World War II monument in Columbia's Five Points was cracked and fallen.
Monument specialist Ron Clamp saw our story and offered to restore it at no cost.
"It's more of what I do everyday, and it's close to home," Clamp says.
Clamp's father and uncles served in World War II. And his father taught him this craft.
First, Clamp cleans the stones. Next, he'll patch the chips and refinish the bronze.
"We've stripped down the bronze. We've already got that done. We'll refinish it and seal it back up," he says.
Construction administrator Ken Wells says the city couldn't afford more than a power washing. He believes fate brought Clamp and his services.
"I'm sure that everybody that views it once it's complete will be extremely gratified to this gentleman for amount of time and effort he's spent renovating it, " says Wells.
The memorial should be complete by the end of summer but it won't go back here. It will be moved across Blossom Street where the city believes it will attract more attention.
Clamp is not getting paid for his work, but he's getting something out of it.
"This will be here in 4,000 years, and it will be something that I did."
Reported by Maggie Alexander
Posted 11:17pm by Graeme Moore
