The Woodlands Township dedicated its newest sculpture, “The Way Home,” during a May 25 ceremony at Town Green Park that attracted thousands of community residents and war veterans.

The sculpture, created by artist Edd Hayes, depicts two solders atop a marble slab, reflecting the camaraderie between former Woodlands residents and soldiers Cory Kosters and Zachary Endsley, both of the U.S. Army. Kosters was killed in action in 2007 while serving in Iraq, and Endsley was killed in action the same year while serving in Afghanistan.

Everett Ison, co-chairman of The Way Home project, said that an estimated 2,000 people showed up at the park on Memorial Day, a number much higher than the 500 people the organization was expecting.

“We were just overwhelmed,” Ison said. “We saw such a huge support from the community.”

Ison said the ceremony will continue to take place on both Memorial Day and Veterans Day in future years.

“This has just been all about the veterans, and that’s why it was built,” Ison said. “It was closure for some, appreciation for others.”

The ceremony also featured several veterans organizations, including the Veterans of Foreign War Post No. 1204, who handed out poppies in remembrance of fallen solders, and the American League Post No. 305, whose chaplain assisted with the evocation at the start of the ceremony.

“Our motto is ‘No one gets left behind,’” Ison said. “We’re now able to say, ‘Thank you.’”