Reflections of Generosity Volume 2: Remembering Heroes

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Published on December 01, 2009 by Ron Kelsey



(Pamela Moore photo info: “Moment In Time” 4 Printed Fabric 4x6 ft each TriBeCa Temporary Gallery NYC)
 

Walking slowly, the whirling blur of a distant movie came into view
Impending Danger threatened my Soul
Inexplicably, Reason left me. I could not See
Floating Illusions surrounded me
Fear scaled to a higher Octave
Time has Stopped
All that Was
was not.

(Pamela Moore, 2001)

 
Fellow Artists and Soldiers

The above statement and artwork was written and created by Pamela Moore after witnessing the tragedy's of 9-11. Reading her statement, I see a connection to the tragedies of Fort Hood on 5 November 2009. In both circumstances, the perpetrators claimed to find honor in such vengeance. Beyond the grief of such claims and loss of heroes, I recall the hope from a single candle that burned at TriBeCa Temporary Exhibit, April 2003, which reflected upon heroic sacrifice.

Makoto Fujimura remembered heroes during this exhibit saying:

The rescuers, along with other heroes of 9-11, redefined life’s true expression of beauty, which was forgotten by the ‘convoluted theory’ of recent times. The firefighter’s ‘art’ was their sacrifice. Their lives were offered up in response to the terrorist’s ‘art’ of vengeance in their ‘last extremity.’ Compared to the vengeance, those who sacrificed their own lives so that others could find life was the true mentanoia, turning 180 degrees to face death head-on rather than fleeing. Through their sacrificial love, we can begin to know and experience true beauty. (Makoto Fujimura, Refractions: A Journey of Faith, Art, and Culture, page 55)
In the same way, the Soldiers and Police Officers that stood up in defense of Fort Hood faced death head-on. Their art was their sacrifice.

Yours Toward Restoration and Peace,

Ron Kelsey, Germany
Nonprofit Artist, Military Liaison for the Arts
ron.v.kelsey (at) us.army.mil

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