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Featured in the painting is an Air Force Reservist holding her daughter as she returns home from a mission to the Gulf. Fading to the upper right is a row of A464D Longbow Apache Helicopter storming over the desert sky. An A7 Corsair II leaves the deck of an aircraft carrier as the stars and stripes are ghosted through the sky as a constant reminder or our concept of liberty. Below the painting is a rifle company of the U.S. 1st Cavalry Division, moving through a rice paddy in the coastal part of Binh Dinh Province. Directly to the right is a infantryman being comforted as casualty tags are made out during the Korean War.
The bottom right features a M60A3 tank blazing through the desert towards Baghdad during the liberation of Iraq. This painting will "Forever Honor" our courageous soldiers who have always sacrificed their lives to preserve the American way of life and all she stands for.
"I am honored to have this opportunity to share with you how an unknown angel, Ray Simon, aided our family during an un-welcomed life experience.
On September 22, 2003, we received the news that our nephew, son, brother, grandson and cousin, Paul Sturino, had lost his life in the line of duty in the war with Iraq. Four hundred and fifty-seven U.S. families were to share this experience in the year of 2003. Although each and every family of our U.S. soldiers realizes that potential encounter with death is a looming possibility, one is never prepared to receive this heart and life-changing message.
My husband Darryl Sturino, is a funeral director and had the honor of conducting Paul's final journey on earth. Through his association with Mark McCool, a Wilbert Vault representative, he discovered an extraordinary gift - the gift of Ray Simon. Mr. Simon was an unknown artist to our family. He endows, gratuitously, to families of fallen soldiers, a brilliant collage. |
