05/31/2021
Memorial Day is for honoring and mourning the military men and women who have died in the performance of their duties while serving in our Armed Forces. As a reminder of why we get this three day weekend, I've created a new mural honoring our Veterans for the 23rd year in a row on this rock.
The 2021 Freedom Rock is as complete as it can be for this year (the legislative session bled into May and it has been rainy as heck, but managed to get it to a good stopping point.
The front side is what I think of, when I think of Memorial Day. A grieving loved one at an Arlington tombstone, and in my mind, the ghosts of Arlington come to help and oversee those who are grieving. Lincoln's "Mrs. Bixby letter" is such incredible writing. We don't speak or write like that anymore, and it was also read aloud in the movie that inspired The Freedom Rock, "Saving Private Ryan". I knew it could say what I always hope to illustrate; "I pray that our Heavenly Father may assuage the anguish of your bereavement, and leave you only the cherished memory of the loved and lost, and the solemn pride that must be yours to have laid so costly a sacrifice upon the altar of Freedom. Yours, very sincerely and respectfully, - A. Lincoln."
The south side is in honor of the 20th Anniversary of September 11th, 2001. I wanted to tie a Veteran's story to that tragic day, and chose Pat Tillman. Tillman and his brother were driven to join the Airborne Rangers shortly after Sept. 11th, and Pat gave up his 3.6 million dollar contract with the Arizona Cardinals to do so. Pat was killed and unfortunately his family was lied to on how it happened. The Army Special Operations Command initially claimed that there was an exchange with hostile forces. After a lengthy investigation they concluded that both the Afghan militia soldier's and Tillman's deaths were due to friendly fire aggravated by the intensity of the firefight, even though FOIA requests have shown that there was no evidence that enemy combatants were present, as no US personnel nor equipment were hit by enemy fire and that Tillman’s injuries were consistent with an M16 rifle being fired from about 10 yards away. I can't imagine the pain of losing a loved one in that way and being constantly lied to and led astray. I know the nation is grateful for his service even if the bureaucracies are not.
The east side of the Freedom Rock is (then 9 years old) John Clem. John was a United States Army general who served as a drummer boy in the Union Army in the American Civil War. He gained fame for his bravery on the battlefield, becoming the youngest noncommissioned officer in Army history. He retired from the U.S. Army in 1915, having attained the rank of brigadier general in the Quartermaster Corps; he was at that time the last veteran of the American Civil War still on duty in the U.S. Armed Forces, although others similarly aged and experienced such as Peter C. Hains and Albert A. Michelson rejoined the military after World War I started.
On the north side with the Huey, is Vietnam Veteran Oscar Austin. During the early morning hours of February 23, 1969, Private First Class Austin's observation post was subjected to a fierce ground attack by a large North Vietnamese Army force supported by a heavy volume of hand gr***des, satchel charges and small arms fire. Observing that one of his wounded companions had fallen unconscious in a position dangerously exposed to the hostile fire, Private First Class Austin unhesitatingly left the relative security of his fighting hole and, with complete disregard for his own safety, raced across the fire-swept terrain to assist the Marine to a covered location. As he neared the casualty, he observed an enemy gr***de land nearby and, reacting instantly, leaped between the injured Marine and the lethal object, absorbing the effect of its detonation. As he ignored his painful injuries and turned to examine the wounded man, he saw a North Vietnamese Army soldier aiming a weapon at his unconscious companion. With full knowledge of the probable consequences and thinking only to protect the Marine, Private First Class Austin resolutely threw himself between the casualty and the hostile soldier and, in so doing, was mortally wounded. The incredible act of selflessness is hard to comprehend, what an amazing person.
On the north side, a WWII Veteran, and local owner of a plumbing business, Ernest "Bud" Schultz, spent time as a prisoner of war at the end of WWII. After being captured, and nearly starved down to 95lbs, the prisoners woke up one morning without any guards at the gate, so the prisoners walked out and to the nearest town to find out that the war had ended. I've heard nothing but great things about Bud, since painting him on. Side note, his great-granddaughter has babysat our kids since they were babies, Thanks Chlo-Jo!
Old glory is wrapped around the top as a thank you to all who've served and sacrificed so much for this country.
We are adding at least two more Vietnam Veterans ashes to the already over 120+ in the green paint of the helicopter already, at 1:00pm on Memorial Day (weather permitting). We also have a taps player and Young Patriots Club coming to sing!
My son Mikey helped me immensely this year and Indie even painted for a little bit. I could never do what I do with the support and coordination of my wife Maria. For constantly being referred to as Mario's sister and Bubba's wife, she has taken it all in stride. Love you Ria! In that same vein, my parents, Mike and Dixie, make sure I'm well fed and taken care of while I paint this one, and help me visit with the crowds over Memorial Weekend. Thanks Mom and Dad!
Thank you to all our men and women who serve our country, past, present and in the future. 🇺🇸
