photo by Stefan Rogenmoser

The family of World War II code breaker Frances Suddeth Josephson gathers around her sculpture after it was unveiled at Pinewood Preparatory School Jan. 24. Pictured, from left: Jessica Suddeth holds Adelaide Suddeth; James H. Suddeth IV, Cokey Suddeth and Jed Suddeth, Josephson’s son.

photo provided

Alexander Agrest plays violin and leads the Summerville Community Orchestra through “Meditation From Thais” by French composer Massenet in Pinewood’s Freedom Hall.

photo Stefan Rogenmoser

The family of World War II code breaker Frances Suddeth Josephson gathers around her sculpture after it is unveiled at Pinewood Preparatory School Jan. 24. Pictured, from left: Jed Suddeth, Cokey Suddeth, James H. Suddeth IV and Jessica Suddeth holding Adelaide Suddeth.

photo Stefan Rogenmoser

A crowd gathers in Pinewood’s Freedom Hall after the sculpture unveiling and waits for the Summerville Community Orchestra to begin their performance.

photo Stefan Rogenmoser

Jed Suddeth stands next to a scupture of his mother, WWII code breaker Frances Josephson Suddeth, and sculpture artist Kris Parmele after its unveiling.

photo Stefan Rogenmoser

Pinewood Preparatory School honored World War II code breaker Frances S. Suddeth Josephson, of Summerville, with a sculpture unveiling and a tribute concert by the Summerville Community Orchestra on Jan. 24.

The sculpture of Josephson, made by Kris Parmele, was unveiled at the school’s Liberty Garden before a crowd of more than 50 people, including a number of military personnel in uniform. The garden was named after Josephson in January 2008 after she passed away in 2007.

Josephson never told anyone she was a code breaker, not even her son, Jed Suddeth, who was at the ceremony, along with his daughter-in-law Jessica Suddeth and grandchildren James H. Suddeth IV, Cokey Suddeth and Adelaide Suddeth.

Researchers eventually got the word out about code breakers. Josephson’s team broke the Japanese code that enabled the U.S. to find and shoot down the plane carrying Admiral Isoroku Yamamoto, who planned the Pearl Harbor attack. His death had a huge symbolic significance for U.S. troops. Josephson was not recognized for her secret work until the information became declassified in the 1990s.

Suddeth, a Pinewood alumnus, said Parmele did a spectacular job in capturing the sparkle of his mother’s eyes with only one photograph of her in her 20s.

“Mom would have been very pleased,” he said. Suddeth said the three things she would have wanted to teach Pinewood students are: (1) freedom and liberty are not free, (2) duty to country and (3) resolve and determination.

“Without our freedom our system could not function,” Suddeth said. His mother advised to speak softy and carry a big stick, he added. “She was very soft-spoken. You could hardly hear her sometimes.”

When Josephson was called on by her country, she asked no questions and went straight to breaking codes, Suddeth said. “If she were here today she’d say keep on spying and shut your mouth.

“Mom, may you inspire Pinewood students for years to come. Thank you.”

Pinewood Head of Advancement Quince Cody and Headmaster Glyn Cowlishaw also spoke. The scuplture was unveiled just before the skies opened up to unleash heavy rain. The crowd entered Freedom Hall, watched a documentary on Josephson’s life and listened to the Summerville Community Orchestra concert.

Pinewood teacher Amy Hudock made the documentary with help from students. “We surround our students with silent reminders of people who have fought for freedom,” she said in Freedom Hall.

Hudock said Josephson shows what a woman could be. “Imperfect heroes can make perfect moments. The rest of the world cannot always be like the people it honors. Ideals can be manifested into reality. The reality we make is ultimately up to us.”

The orchestra played the James Bond theme song, followed by lively versions of “For Your Eyes Only,” “Live and Let Die,” and “Goldfinger.” They also played an armed forces salute medley and Brahms Hungarian Dances. Conductor Alexander Agrest played violin during a song by French composer Massenet.

“When music is played it awakens something special in your mind,” Agrest said.

The set ended with Earl Mays swing version of “Golden Memories,” which turned into a medley that included “Rock Around the Clock” and “I Want To Hold Your Hand.”

Journalscene.com ® is pleased to offer readers the enhanced ability to comment on stories. We expect our readers to engage in lively, yet civil discourse. Journalscene.com ® does not edit user submitted statements and we cannot promise that readers will not occasionally find offensive or inaccurate comments posted in the comments area. Responsibility for the statements posted lies with the person submitting the comment, not Journalscene.com ®. If you find a comment that is objectionable, please click "report abuse" and we will review it for possible removal. Please be reminded, however, that in accordance with our Terms of Use and federal law, we are under no obligation to remove any third party comments posted on our website.

Users can now build user-to-user connections, follow friends' recent posts, add an avatar that fits their personality, and more. If you have posted here before you'll need to sign up again, or if you've never posted before, start now by reading our terms and conditions, and then signing up below!

• Santee Cooper announces 2012 refunding bond sale
• Santee Cooper announces organizational changes in operation and finance departments
• Santee Cooper employees pitch in on Day of Caring
• Aerial herbicide treatment on lakes under way
• Santee Cooper Board Authorizes Rate Study
• Santee Cooper announces refunding bond sale
• Santee Cooper, Florida Municipal Power Agency enter into letter of intent for share of planned V.C. Summer Station units
• Santee Cooper, Duke Energy Carolinas enter into letter of intent for share of planned V.C. Summer Station units 2 and 3