Dressed in combat fatigues, his arm outstretched to a young Iraqi girl crouching on a ledge above him, the bronze statue shows Pfc. Thomas Tucker poised to lend a helping hand in the middle of a war zone.

The statue, unveiled Sunday in a ceremony at Madras Friendship Park, is a memorial to the young soldier, who was killed in Iraq in 2006 and a sign of the appreciation of friends, family and community members who spent three years raising money and making plans for a lasting tribute to Tucker.

Under sunny skies, with the wind whipping the American flags lining the sidewalks, dozens of people turned out to get a first glimpse of the statue and to remember the Madras High School graduate, who died at age 25.

Tuckers aunt, Robin Olson, 46, of Powell Butte, blinked back tears as several speakers took their turns at the podium and a bagpiper played Amazing Grace.

I think he would feel grateful, she said after the ceremony. He would be appreciative of people and know they were proud of him.

Olson said Tucker, who joined the Army in 2005, was a young man who came into his own when he became a soldier.

He was somebody who joined the military to find his way, to find direction … and he definitely did, she said.

Speakers who took the stage during the 45-minute ceremony included Madras Mayor Melanie Widmer, Bend Medal of Honor recipient Bob Maxwell and Col. Todd Ebel, the commander of the brigade combat team Tucker was serving in when he was killed.

Ebel said he was moved by the communitys show of support and asked people in attendance to find a way to give back to other people as Tucker did in his military service.

I can think of no more noble cause than to reach out and help your fellow man, whether in your community or in the challenging crucible of combat, he said. Thomas actions were noble, loyal and deserving of the tribute that is put on on his behalf.

The statue, created by Troutdale artist Rip Caswell, was paid for with money raised by Tuckers friends and family members. The group sold T-shirts and bracelets and gathered small donations, raising about $75,000 in three years.

Jim Lantz, 42, of Madras, said he brought his family to see the statue unveiled because he feels a kinship with Tucker, though he never knew the young soldier. An emergency medical technician, Lantz said he and others who work in emergency services or the military try to support each other in tough times.

Were all like a brotherhood, Lantz said. If one passes on, we all come together so that we can thank him.

Though many of the people who attended Sundays ceremony were from Madras, some came from out of town and even from out of state.

Mandi Puckett, 32, of Madras, said her husband is a cousin of Tuckers mother. She said Sundays ceremony was a fitting tribute for the soldier, and she was impressed with the communitys ongoing support.

I think its awesome, she said. I think its what we should be doing, honoring those who served for us. And thats what he did.

Dick Beach, 60, and his wife, Elaine Heffelfinger, 64, of San Antonio, were visiting relatives in Madras when they heard about the event. Beach, who served in the Army for 36 years, said he thought it was important to show his support for Tuckers family and friends because he understands what theyve lost with the soldiers death.

I know a lot of young men that got hurt and passed away in Vietnam, the Gulf War, this war, Afghanistan, he said. People need to never forget the sacrifice that (Tucker) made. Its all in respect for this young man, the nation and the flag. Thats what this is about.