America’s Price of Freedom

Assembled from stainless steel, “America’s Price of Freedom” stands over eight feet tall and holds a dog tag from every conflict since the American Revolution. On each dog tag is the total number of American lives lost in each conflict. He is armed with a weapon, ammunition, or piece of gear that represents each conflict.

Each piece of equipment the soldier bears was thoughtfully constructed with repurposed materials, from ammo pouch to smoke grenade. The medals on his chest represent each branch of military service. With more than 2,000 hours of work invested in the magnificent piece, artist Charlie Sembler said it was a labor of love for the men who entrusted him so many years prior with their convictions and recollections.

“The vision for building the US Soldier came to me in a dream,” said Mr. Sembler. “He was built and is a gift to the United States soldiers of past, present, and future. I am eternally grateful for our freedom that [our servicemen and women] have sacrificed so much for our country.”

“America’s Price of Freedom” was generously donated to the Museum on May 27, 2024, Memorial Day. With special thanks to Dan Richey for facilitating this gift.

About Charles Sembler, II

Charles Sembler II (59) of Vero Beach, is a lifelong Floridian, outdoorsman, artist, businessman and retired public servant.

Sembler grew up along the shores of the Indian River Lagoon in Sebastian, FL, where his family owned and operated one of the largest commercial fish houses on the east coast of Florida. Growing up, Sembler spent every spare moment fishing in the river and the Ocean, working the docks or helping friends with their cattle ranch west of town. He learned all he could from the “Old Salts” and “Florida Cracker” cowboys who shared their knowledge.

Sembler learned how to fix equipment (boats, trucks, trailers, heavy equipment and pumps) and over time and through necessity he became a proficient field mechanic, plumber, electrician, welder, fence builder and all-around problem solver. These various skills have served him well to this day.

After high school, Sembler soon took over as Vice President of the family’s wholesale seafood operation, making him the fourth generation to run the business. He helped the business transition from commercial fishing into the shellfish aquaculture industry. He also made a name for himself while participating in state-wide public forums while speaking on behalf of the commercial fishermen and other fish house owners.

At 21-years-old, Sembler was appointed by the then governor to serve in a vacant position on the Sebastian Inlet Commission. Two years later, he was elected Chairman by his fellow commissioners. He served in that capacity until he left the commission to run for the Florida Legislature.

In 1990, at just 25-years-old, he was elected to the House and became its youngest sitting member. He served ten years in the legislature, where he rose in leadership and power. He was recognized during his tenure by a variety of organizations and was known as a member that could “reach across the aisle” and bring consensus on divisive issues.

After serving a ten-year term, and with a young family at home, Sembler returned to Vero Beach and was elected without opposition to serve as Indian River County Tax Collector. He continued to be deeply involved in the family aquaculture business. Sembler was re-elected without opposition for three consecutive terms as tax collector, serving a total of eight years in that position.

Since retiring from public service, Sembler has focused his efforts on working in family businesses with his wife and son. He continues to own and operate Sembler & Sembler, the family seafood business originally founded in 1901, along the Indian River in Sebastian where clam and oyster farmers work off the commercial dock farming “Fresh-From-Florida” shellfish.

He also is recognized for his artistic abilities, creating handcrafted furniture and home décor items from reclaimed wood and repurposed materials. He is particularly well known for his sculptures crafted and welded out of recycled materials. For years, Sembler delighted the public with his hand-crafted giant sculptures of sea life which seemed to magically appear on his riverfront property without fanfare.

Sembler and his wife Beth have been married for 34 years. In addition to their son, Charles III, they have a daughter Claire. Sembler and his wife are active in local community activities and Sembler serves as an “unofficial advisor” to many when it comes to issues pertaining to the Indian River Lagoon.