If We Erected Statues for "Ordinary Joes," Who is Your Joe and Why?
Inspired by Europe's Everyday Hero Statues
Imagine walking through your city and spotting a statue—not of a “war hero,” politician, or superstar athlete, but of an ordinary person. A mailman, a timekeeper, a teacher, a factory worker. In cities like Leeds and Rotterdam, this idea is becoming a reality. It flips the script on who we choose to remember, turning the spotlight on those who shape our world in more quiet, everyday ways.
If we erected statues for those "Ordinary Joes," who would be your Joe— and why?
Here are mine:
Honorable Mentions
Lee Blissett (Morley, Missouri) - Once a manager of mine while working at Lambert’s Cafe in Sikeston, Missouri, Mr. Lee is the epitome of a good man and the kind of role model that young men need in their lives, especially in areas like that. When he’s not at the cafe working, Mr. Lee serves as a pastor and ordained minister in the area— but most importantly, a good husband and father.
William 'Bill’ Day (Andes, New York) - He was the best Papa that any young boy could ask for. Growing up, the highlight of every summer was going camping with Grandpa Bill and Grandma Laurie, two fixtures in the Hudson Valley to this day. Papa was a lifelong contractor; mostly roofing.
In January 2022, my grandfather passed away, and I haven’t seen that campground in nearly twenty years.
[May 3, 1953 - January 26, 2022]
Gerald Summers (Sikeston, Missouri) - Gerald is one of my best friends in life and by far the funniest person I have ever met. From getting written up in Mrs. Villanueva’s Spanish class (far too many times) to pulling all-nighters inside our local Walmart, there was never a dull moment with you.
Your siblings are growing into two awesome individuals, and I know you’d be very proud of them today. I think about you every day, and I don’t care how lame that sounds.
[August 20, 1995 - November 19, 2016]
Tamara Buck (Cape Girardeau, Missouri) - Dr. Buck is one of the professors at Southeast Missouri State University who left the biggest impact on me as a storyteller. Most people, especially creative writers in the department, would deem her law classes a bore-fest filled with old court cases. And sure, on the surface, that’s exactly what they are. But once you really get into it, you start to understand how to read an audience and become a more honest, respectable storyteller (or journalist). Her class was challenging, but I still use the research skills she taught me to this day… in fact, I’m using them right now.
Also, Dr. Buck is a huge advocate and mouthpiece for the city of Cape Girardeau, and her work should never go unnoticed.
Pep Zastava (Milwaukee, Wisconsin) - Pep Zastava is quite the character within Milwaukee’s film and music scene. He has provided spaces and equipment for almost every local filmmaker that I know, and people like Pep are the kind of pillars that keep a creative community thriving.
And the person that I would erect a statue for is…
Geneva Bolen (Cape Girardeau, Missouri)
I spent over six years working at Lambert’s Cafe, from throwing rolls, to hosting, and eventually serving tables. During that time, no one had a greater impact on my life than Ms. Geneva Bolen. Who would’ve thought that a twenty-something could be so fascinated by the life of a ragtime pianist older than his great-grandma? You’d have to hear her stories for yourself to understand, she is one of the best storytellers I’ve ever met.
From having BIG DREAMS of playing on stage at her local church to turning it into a 30+ year career as a professional musician, there was never a day I wasn’t listening to her life stories. To this day, there’s no one in my life who wants me to succeed as badly as she does. And if I’m doing this thing called “life” for anyone, she’s certainly one of them.
“My Dad taught us important things in life— honesty, being grateful, treating people right, and that is what I try to do” Bolen said.
I basically had to beg her to do this project in the fall of 2019 because she was nervous about sitting in front of a camera. But she adjusted quickly. I have hours of footage from that early morning before service began, and I’ll hold on to it forever.
And if I could put that statue anywhere, I know exactly where it would go. I’d place Ms. Geneva right along the Mississippi Riverwalk in Cape Girardeau, just south of the beautiful and grand Bill Emerson Memorial Bridge. I’d have a bronze version of her behind a piano so big that you’d almost lose sight of her… that’s the way that she’d want it too. Also, I’d place a few roses and a dinner roll right on top.
Now, it is your turn. Who would be your “ordinary Joe”?