Steel, Sacrifice, and 250 Years: The River’s Welding Students Honor the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier

FORT PIERCE, Fla. (May 6, 2026) — Welding Technology students at Indian River State College (The River) have created a steel sculpture honoring the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. Students built the piece as an entry in the Florida Department of Education Career and Technical Education (FLDOE CTE) Competition. Notably, the competition marks the 250th anniversary of the United States. 

A group of seven people stand smiling outside the IRSC Eastman Training Complex, flanked by American flags. To their left is a metal wreath sculpture on a tripod stand, and to the right is a large human-shaped sculpture made from welded tools and hardware.
Indian River State College welding students and instructors pose alongside their completed sculpture and commemorative wreath outside the Eastman Training Complex, honoring 250 years of American freedom.

Sculpture Unveiled at Indian River State College Commencement 

Indian River State College unveiled the sculpture at its commencement ceremony on Wednesday, May 6, 2026. The graduating welding students will walk at commencement on Thursday, May 7, 2026, at 9 a.m. Attendees can view the sculpture at the Westside Center, 3361 S. Jenkins Road, Fort Pierce, through Friday, May 8, 2026. Ultimately, the sculpture will be installed at the college’s main campus in Fort Pierce, Florida.  

A portrait photo of Kyle Carpenter, a young man with beard, gray suit, white shirt, and blue-gray tie.
Lance Corporal (Ret.) Kyle Carpenter, Medal of Honor Recipient

Prior to the ceremony on May 6, 2026, the sculpture was shown to the commencement speaker, Lance Corporal (Ret.) Kyle Carpenter, Medal of Honor recipient. In 2010, Carpenter shielded a fellow Marine from a grenade blast in Afghanistan — an act of selfless courage that nearly cost him his life. In his opening address, he centered his words on resilience and selfless service. As a result, his address resonated deeply with The River’s newest graduates. It also found a quiet echo in the steel sentinel standing watch nearby. 

About the Sculpture 

The sculpture depicts the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, including the marble sarcophagus, wreath, and saluting sentinels. It stands approximately 9 feet tall and measures roughly 7 feet wide. With the addition of the two stainless steel flags at the top—the 1776 flag on the left and the current U.S. flag on the right—the total height reaches 12.5 feet. In total, the piece weighs approximately 1,000 pounds and is constructed entirely from stainless steel. 

The soldier figure stands 6 feet tall and weighs approximately 400 pounds, and is created in an industrial scrap art style, using repurposed metal components such as old tools, car parts, and hardware. Every inch of the soldier is crafted from repurposed tools and hardware — wrenches, sockets, gears, and chain — a testament to the skill and craftsmanship of Indian River State College welding program. 

 Alt text: Wide exterior shot of the Indian River State College Eastman Training Complex. A full-body welded metal soldier sculpture stands in the foreground mid-salute, with a granite memorial monument and two American flags visible behind it. 
The welded soldier sculpture stands at attention in front of the College’s Eastman Training Complex, saluting the memorial monument flanked by the American and Betsy Ross flags.
Close-up of the upper body and saluting arm of the welded soldier sculpture, showing intricate detail work made from wrenches, drill bits, socket sets, chains, gears, and assorted metal hardware. The figure wears dog tags and an Indian River State College medallion. 
Every inch of the soldier is crafted from repurposed tools and hardware — wrenches, sockets, gears, and chain — a testament to the skill and craftsmanship of Indian River State College welding program.

Students Chose the Subject Unanimously 

Instructor Walter Posten returned from Washington, D.C. with photographs of national monuments. He shared them with the class. Students then voted unanimously on the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. 

The class felt the Tomb best captured the competition’s spirit — honoring not only the nation’s history, but also the ongoing sacrifice that sustains it. 

What Instructors and Leaders Are Saying 

“They wanted something that represented 250 years of our nation,” said Posten, an instructor in Indian River State College’s School of Business and Applied Technologies. “The Tomb reminds us of the cost it took — and still takes — for us to have a nation. I haven’t seen a group invest in a project like this in a long time. You could see the frustration when something needed redoing, the excitement when it finally clicked, and the pride when they stepped back and looked at what they built.” 

Close-up of a curved metal plaque with laser-cut lettering reading
The commemorative wreath bears the inscription: 250 Years of Freedom — Because of Their Sacrifice — 1776–2026.

“These students didn’t just learn a trade — they used it to say something meaningful about who we are as a country,” said Troy Shearer, Associate Dean of the School of Applied Technologies. “This project shows exactly what career and technical education looks like at its best. We couldn’t be prouder.” 

“This sculpture shows what our students are capable of — the skill, the dedication, and the character,” said Dr. Timothy E. Moore, president of Indian River State College. “It serves as a fitting tribute to 250 years of American sacrifice and service. We are honored to display it at commencement.” 

Participating Students 

The following students contributed to the project: Luis Carrillo, David Garcia, Zachery Daniel O’Brien, Jaen Angel Torres, Mason James Merkel, Jacob Louis Cason, Robert Landon Morris, Connor Fronrath, Jordan Garcia, Marvin Lee Martin, Gustavo Torres, Dylan Mitchel Kapp, Jacob William Megathlin, Ronja Sander, Lydia Mae Agosta, Deneka Findlay, and Rowan M. Lukey. 

Program Information

Ready to rise? At The River, the Welding Technology program builds real skills fast. Students master MIG, TIG, stick, and flux-core welding techniques. Additionally, they learn blueprint reading, safety standards, and material usage. Furthermore, graduates earn AWS certification — a credential that opens doors across industries. Best of all, hands-on lab training makes up 75% of the program. As a result, students graduate confident and job-ready. Entry-level welders in the area earn $18–$25 per hour. Moreover, experienced welders unlock even greater earning potential. The River empowers students to build a future worth welding. Learn more at irsc.edu/program/welding.