Photo: In Memory Of The Fallen.

[bluesbassman]

No matter the reason or validity of the conflict, the ultimate sacrifice paid by our sons and daughters, brothers and sisters, and our friends is worthy of our honor, respect, and acknowledgment.

On this Veteran's Day 2011: Rest in peace to all who have fallen and comfort to the family and friends they left behind.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

1. What a beautiful photo, my dear bluesbassman...

Thank you.

And I wholeheartedly second your comments...

[bluesbassman]

2. Thanks Peggy.

This was taken in front of our local VFW Hall.

Glad you liked it.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

3. I did wonder where it was taken...

It's so very appropriate!

[pacalo]

4. I love the quote. It's why we say "thank you" to those who served.

/punctuation

[bluesbassman]

6. Yes it is.

:)

[lamp_shade]

5. I just posted this photo on my facebook. Thank you so much. I've got goosebumps.

[bluesbassman]

7. I'm honored you've done that lamp_shade.

Thank you. :pals:

[lamp_shade]

8. This is a beautiful depiction and deserves a little kick.

[bluesbassman]

9. Evening kick. n/t

[pinboy3niner]

10. Two more...

These are representations of the statues at the Vietnam Veterans' Memorial on the National Mall in Washington, D.C. Except that these are "living" statues, featuring local high school students in my community:



The statue by Frederick Hart, untitled but referred to variously as "The Three Servicemen," The Three Fighting Men," and "The Three Soldiers."
Photo by Yvette Castillo



The Vietnam Women's Memorial. Designs featuring nurses only were rejected in favor of one that recognized that the 10,000 women who served were not
limited to medical roles. Photo by Yvette Castillo


The backstory:

Lancaster HS in Lancaster, CA, had turned a student project into an annual event honoring the troops and veterans that was entirely planned and executed by students in junior U.S. history classes. IIRC, 2011 was to be the 10th year for the event.

But in the Spring of this year, 119 students attending the junior year HS history classes voted to take on an extra project--hosting the display of a half-scale replica of the Wall on their campus for 11 days.

During the planning for the event, one student--who, their teacher said, NEVER spoke in class--piped up from the back of the classroom to suggest that "We should do the statue." That was the photographer, Yvette, and once they figured out what she meant, a vet made a flip comment that "Then you gotta do both statues."

The students--already well-prepared on VN War history by an excellent teacher, Jamie Goodreau--created 22 committees to carry out their project and set about doing further research and planning.

When the mobile Wall rolled up in its trailer on a Saturday morning, 99 of those students were waiting to meet it and set up the panels and they filled volunteer shifts throughout the day to carry out the numerous tasks involved in supporting the Wall's public display.

Before the day was over, the students were coming back to sign up for more volunteer shifts above and beyond the ones to which they'd already committed.

After the opening ceremonies, our breath catched in our throats when we turned to see the living statues. We had no idea how realistic they would be. And when one of the dignitaries--a General from the local Air Force base--stuck out his hand to congratulate the students "doing" the statues, the students held their pose and didn't budge, lol. There was a very, very, very long pause until Mrs. Goodreau told her students they could break their pose to accept the General's congrats. :)

After the 11-day event was over, the students had their summer vacation and then came back as HS seniors. But the students in the Statue Committee hung tight, creating their own "Statue Family" FB page and continuing to recreate the statues on request. They appeared recently at our community's Stand Down for homeless veterans, and again yesterday for a Veterans' Day observance at a local senior center.

The students--on their own--have also created another project to send care packages to troops overseas.

We local vets who had the privilege of spending time at the Wall with the Statue Family and the many other students who worked on the event were impressed more than we can say. When the vets involved are asked about the experience, they all begin by saying, "If you ever have any doubts about the younger generation...."

[CaliforniaPeggy]

11. These are likewise amazing photos!

Thank you for sharing their uplifting story here tonight, my dear pinboy3niner...

Indeed, if we ever despair about the younger generation, all we need to do is read your words here...

Wonderful.

:patriot:

[pinboy3niner]

13. Thanks, Peg

The photos are Yvette's--a human dynamo in a small package. I love her as if she were my own granddaughter--and she told me I'm the grandfather she never had.

It was hard to edit that experience down to what I posted.

Those students are so amazing that I avoid calling them 'kids.' They heard from vets in their classrooms and interviewed vets for a video they made and did a lot of independent research.

They're not just "Rah-rah" patriots. They developed pretty informed views on war. But, whatever their feelings on the subject, they take a compassionate and supportive view toward the troops.

If only we were so mature at that age, lol!

[bluesbassman]

12. What an awesome tribute! Great photos too.

All of those involved are to be commended for a truly unique and moving memorial.

Thanks for sharing that pinboy3niner! :thumbsup:

[nadinbrzezinski]

14. There is no doubt on the younger generation

I just spent a night listening to kids demand their rights... no doubt at all.

Beautiful photos and great project.