‘The Lost Heroes Art Quilt' Begins National Exhibit Tour at Arlington National Cemetery Today

Sept. 27, 2009 - PRLog -- ARLINGTON, VA -- A gift to the nation honoring America’s fallen heroes in Iraq and Afghanistan, “The Lost Heroes Art Quilt” begins its national exhibition tour at the Arlington National Cemetery Visitors Center today through October 4.  Next, it will be on display at two military museums in Virginia -- the U.S. Army Women’s Museum in Fort Lee, VA, October 6-17, and the National Museum of the Marine Corps in Triangle, VA, October 18-25.

The Quilt was dedicated at the Families United Gold Star Family Dinner at the Hilton Washington on September 25 and included in the keystone “Time of Remembrance” event at the U.S. Capitol, sponsored by the White House Commission on Remembrance, on September 26.

A 5.5-foot by 15-foot contemporary art tribute to the courageous men and women who have given their lives in service to our nation in Iraq and Afghanistan, “The Lost Heroes Art Quilt” was created by artist Julie Feingold as a non-political work.  It includes 82 heroes reflecting the diversity of America – 50 in the central quilt representing each state in the U.S. and 32 around the border.  A photograph and poignant words describing each hero’s unique personality, dreams, plans, interests and hopes appear around each hero’s square on the Quilt, permanently memorializing each life.  

The Quilt honors four Virginia heroes -- Marine Major Michael David Martino represents Virginia in the center of the Quilt, while the names of Army Captain Christopher P. Petty of Vienna, VA, Army Major William F. Hecker III and Army Private First Class David H. Sharrett 2nd (both from McLean, VA) appear on the border of the Quilt.

A poetic message from the artist is prominently silk-screened on the Quilt, while symbols of the world’s major religions – Christianity, Hinduism, Islam and Judaism – appear in each corner.

Feingold has created a dramatic, mixed media fabric artwork portraying individual heroes’ lives, which took more than two years to complete.  Gold Star Mothers and family members of the fallen became an integral part of Feingold’s process as she threaded their powerful stories and children’s images into the work.

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“The ‘Lost Heroes Art Quilt’ is a tribute to honor and remember those who have made the ultimate sacrifice for their country, while educating and activating those who view the Quilt,” said Ms. Feingold.  “These extraordinary people decided to risk all for the benefit of the greater society.  When you look upon the faces of the individuals presented here, you see the youthful face of valor.”    

“By recognizing the character of those who served, I hope to inspire others to find their own path toward community service and active citizenship,” she continued.  “Take just one name with you and remember it, so that our heroes will not be forgotten.  The actions of a single person can make a powerful difference.”

Many artists, exhibit designers, fabricators and donors have contributed countless hours to making this tribute and exhibit tour possible.  Complementing the display of the artwork at the “Time of Remembrance” events is a regal Quilt Stand with imagery of the armed services crafted by artisan Michael Scarborough for use in selected sites.  

A companion art book features in-depth stories of each hero in the artwork and contains the names of all that have fallen in Iraq and Afghanistan as of July 4, 2009, as well as a full-color fold-out photograph of the artwork.  Edited by Gold Star Mother Nancy Hecker, the book is available at museum shops and online at www.LostHeroesArtQuilt.org with proceeds after expenses going to Snowball Express, the organization assisting the children of the fallen.

About Families United
Families United for Our Troops and Their Mission, headed by executive director Brian Wise and president Merrilee Carlson, is the nation’s largest military family organization.  It is composed of Gold Star Families of the fallen and Blue Star Families of those currently serving our country, including many with loved ones in harm's way.  Visit www.familiesunitedmission.com.

About the White House Commission on Remembrance
The White House Commission on Remembrance, established by Congress in 2000 and led by executive director Carmella LaSpada, is dedicated to honoring the fallen and their families and instilling in each citizen a sense of the American heritage.  The Fourth Annual Time of Remembrance Ceremony 2009 unites these families in celebration of the lives of their loved ones who died for our freedom.  A special part of this event is a touching tribute to the children of our fallen that are presented with the Commission’s Gold Medal of Remembrance. Visit www.remembrance.gov.
         
About the American Heroes Art Projects Foundation
The American Heroes Art Projects Foundation is a grass roots volunteer non-profit organization. In addition to its mission to use the communicative power of art to honor and remember the character of the people and families who give so much in service to our country, the foundation focuses on public education and a call to action.  Sample stories of the Heroes featured on “the Lost Heroes Art Quilt” and learning resources about remembrance, citizenship, service to country, the history of American quilting and suggestions for just some of the ways the public can honor, remember and support the families and help others are available in the art book and online at www.LostHeroesArtQuilt.org.      

Media Contact for Lost Heroes Art Project and U.S. Exhibition Tour   
Strategy + Communications
Randy Savicky, 203-226-6156, randy@strategypluscommunications.com
(Volunteer PR Agency Donating Services in Support of the Lost Heroes Art Project and U.S. Exhibition Tour)
   
Organization Contacts
Families United
Meghan Tisinger, Director of Communications, 202-293-4656, meghan@familiesunitedmission.com

White House Commission on Remembrance
Carmella LaSpada, Executive Director, 202-783-4665, commission@remember.gov

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