VICKSBURG — A former mayor’s dream and a sculptor’s dream bothbecame reality Saturday as a monument recognizing black soldiers’contributions during the Civil War was unveiled at the VicksburgNational Military Park.

On a cold and rainy morning, park, state and community officialsand a large crowd of visitors gathered for the dedication of theMississippi African American Monument. The over 16-feet-tallmonument was designed by Brookhaven’s Dr. Kim Sessums

The unveiling and dedication represent a 16-year effort byformer Mayor Robert Walker to have black soldiers’ effortsrecognized in the park. During comments that were cut short due tothe rain, Walker said he was asked if he’d prayed for theweather.

“I said, ‘No, I prayed for this day,'” Walker said.

Later, during a reception at the Vicksburg Convention Center,Walker compared the monument development process to that of a humanbeing. Walker watched closely as it moved from a concept to a smallscale version to the actual monument that was placed in thepark.

“It became life,” Walker said.

Walker said Sessums had done a good job and that the doctor hasthe talent to convey the human qualities that the monument neededto have.

“His talent is God-given,” Walker said.

Others expressed similar comments about Sessums’ abilities.

Brig. Gen. Robert Crear, the reception’s keynote speaker, saidSessums undertook “an awesome responsibility” to convey history forposterity. He said the monument was a “magnificent vision.”

“I believe he must have been divinely inspired,” Crear said ofSessums.

Over 386,000 blacks served in the Union army and participated in252 separate battles during the war, Crear said.

The battle of Milliken’s Bend, fought near Vicksburg on theLouisiana side of the Mississippi River, was the first in whichblack soldiers outnumbered whites, he said. Approximately 40percent of the over 18,000 Union soldiers buried at the militarypark’s national cemetery are black.

Mississippi is the first state to recognize African-Americans’war contributions with a monument in a national park.

The monument was funded with a $275,000 grant from theMississippi Department of Archives and History and $25,000 inmatching funds from the City of Vicksburg. Sessums was unanimouslychosen by the monument committee from among six artists whosubmitted proposals.

Sessums said the design features three men, two in soldiers’uniforms and another in farm attire that suggests a civilian statusand volunteer spirit.

One man looks back with anguish and sadness to a past filledwith limitations and a splintered light of hope, Sessums said.

Another man, dressed as a soldier, looks forward to a future offreedom and a wounded nation that has been healed. The injured manin the middle represents the pain, horror and trauma of thewar.

“Although this memorial represents a difficult time in ourhistory, it also reminds us how far we’ve come and where we stillcan go,” Sessums said.

Sessums began research for the project more than three yearsago.

He said it took over a year to make molds, enlarge the moldsfrom a smaller version and assemble the 70 pieces. Visiting atstrategic times, Sessums said he spent a combined five weeks at afoundry in Santa Fe, N.M., overseeing monument development.

“It’s a really long, drawn-out affair,” Sessums said.

The work began to pay off Saturday as people got their firstglimpse of the monument.

Many of Sessums’ friends and family members made the trip toVicksburg for the unveiling. Among them was Peggy Brady, wife ofthe late Bruce Brady, with whom Sessums shared a passion forsculpting.

Brady said it is every sculptor’s dream to be able to design amonument. It was especially significant that Sessums was able to doso in his home state.

“With the God-given talent Kim has, I wouldn’t expect anythingless than excellence…,” Brady said of the monument. “It is anunbelievable sight.”

Dr. Joe Moak said Sessums has been a close friend and colleaguefor over 15 years. Moak said he had watched Sessums’ artisticendeavors with great interest during that time.

“Today’s dedication is very significant in Mississippi historyand for Dr. Sessums,” Moak said. “The statue is very important forshowing the significant contributions of a group of soldiers in theCivil War.”