The Robert E. Lee statue that once resided in the aptly named Lee Circle has found a new calling – working at a Kentucky Fried Chicken location in New Orleans.
The statue, which fell out of the spotlight after stepping down from its position in May 2017, had struggled to make the transition back to private citizen life. However, a recent rumor was it had found employment with the local fast-food chain.
“I have a nice little place just outside of New Orleans that I share with Beau and JD,” Lee statue told a group of Neutral Ground News reporters from the drive-thru window while they were waiting for their orders.
“While I miss my old place, it was for the birds. I absolutely love my new job,” said the Lee statue about working at a New Orleans are KFC. “KFC Supermall” (CC BY 2.0) by Irwandy Mazwir
“But I couldn’t take just standing around all day — I had to do something. I had to get out of the shed.”
Following 135 years of public service, Lee statue admitted it had a difficult time since leaving his post and going into retirement, especially after former New Orleans Mayor Mitch Landrieu promised to help it transition to a more suitable position. Ultimately, Landrieu pawned the responsibility off to now current Mayor LaToya Cantrell and left the Lee statue in limbo.
“He (Landrieu) said he had plans to help me move on but then totally ghosted me. I didn’t know what to do so I started looking on Indeed.com,” Lee statue said.
“There were great jobs modeling clothes available at Dillard’s and Macy’s in Lakeside (Shopping Center) but none of them fit me. Not my style. Though I did sign up to be a mall Santa they said I was a little too rough on the kids in the test interview — whatever that means. I was at the end of my pedestal and didn’t know what I was going to do when my old buddy, the Colonel, just happened to call while I was searching Indeed.com. Long story short, Harland offered me a great job and I accepted.”
With a new position firmly established, Lee statue plans to enjoy where it is with no plans on the horizon.
“I feel good — happier than I’ve been in a long time. I loved my old job and place, but, really, it was for the birds. It was time for a change,” Lee statue said.
“I absolutely love my new job. I love the people I worked with. I love meeting new people every day during my shifts. I’m trying to take it all one day at a time and enjoy the moment, but who knows what the future will bring. I was even thinking of maybe taking… Oh, shoot! There’s a car behind you. Sorry, I have to cut this short. Here are your orders. Thanks for choosing KFC!”