Mini statutes of liberty brought patriotism across state — then Omaha's disappeared

John Lajba has grown accustomed to having Lady Liberty loom over him while he works in his downtown Omaha studio.

Still, the sculptor would rather see the weathered 9-foot copper statue depart his studio shelf – its home for the past 30 years – and be moved back where it belongs.

“It’s been on a high shelf in my studio out of the way, out of sight and out of people’s memories for too long,” Lajba said.