Hope for the Warriors Gala Affair

Hope for the Warriors Gala Affair in Washington DC is next on the travel board.  I will send in more as I go along.  Hoping for the best.  I will be donating some prints for the Gala and telling their stories.  I know that will help Hope for the Warriors.  They are helping our Wounded Warriors get their lives back.  Hoping to see some people in DC at the Smithsonian's Traveling Exhibition Service to get out to America what their heroes are doing.  I will add more to this post tonight.

Such a Wonderful Evening With My Heroes

I am such a fan of my heroes

Monday the 18th was a great night to share with the Mayor and Veterans of Rome for a presentation of "A Military Experience - A Parent's Perspective" at the Rome Art & Community Center.  In attendance were the Marine Corp League, a representative of the VFW Rome division and the Mayor of Rome.  Had invited many elected officials.  That's okay.  I got the best.  Joseph R Fusco Jr. is a Mayor passionate about his Veterans in the community in which he lives.

I have to admit, I am such a fan of my Heroes.  When I was at the Modern Day Marine Expo last year, one of the Marines that have been so special to me, retired St Maj Joe Houle, USMC is one of the coordinators. Every morning there was a special event before the tents were opened.  He would come and get me and I thought I would just sit in the bleachers to view the events.  Joe would escort me to the tents.  I remember him whispering, "Go sit up there in the front".  I remember walking up front, only to discover that I was sitting 7 seats away from the Commandant of the Marine Corp with a front row center seat to see the Presidents Own Marching Band and the Silent Drill team.  How cool is that!  With every event I attend, I feel unashamedly a fan toward all my heroes
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We parents are so proud of these Warriors.  - Amy Borio-Alts'
son who had just returned from Afghanistan

Bill Magnarelli and John DeFransico were working on budget issues in NY and Dan Maffei and Chuck Schumer were involved in other commitments in Washington. I will get a little closer to them next month and more Veterans with the Hope for the Warrior's Gala Affair in Washington DC.  Thank you my Veterans for all you have done.  It is such an honor to humbly share my best with my heroes.

Thank you to all who I have share with so far and God Bless my heroes.

More to come America!  More to come.

A Date To Remember

Up and coming date to remember on March 18, 2013 at the Rome Art & Community Center at 308 West Bloomfield St Rome, NY 13440 315-336-1040. Again, I will be presenting my painting series with all their stories from 6:00 to 7:30 pm.  I have invited area VFW's, American Legions, Marine Corp Leagues, Military Recruiting Offices, the Mayor of Rome, Joseph Fusco, Congressman Dan Maffai, Senator Chuck Schumer, NYS Senator John DeFrancisco  NYS Assemblyman, Bill Magnarelli.  Their stories have become my mission to teach.

"A Military Series - A Parent’s Perspective” is for the American Citizen.  As a parent, I have one foot in the Military world and the other in the civilian world in which there is a disconnect that needs to be bridged. The paintings in this series cross bridges by teaching the average American Citizen what our heroes in the Military the families that proudly stand behind them are sacrificing daily to keep us free and protected. As much as they protect us we need to discover and learn their honorable purpose in making a difference in this world."

 To all my blog, Facebook and web followers, I am cordially inviting you to come be a part of "A Military Series - A Parent's Perspective. Please come, because this "Marine Momma" has a story to tell America.

Opening Night and a Very Special Event Night March 18th Coming Up

When God gives you a passion for reaching people with your story, you have to share it!   

Thursday night was just that kind of night at the Rome Art and Community Center, 308 West Bloomfield Street, Rome, NY to share my series.  The venue alone is absolutely beautiful, an old stone mansion turned into a most elegant gallery and community center.  By the looks of the gated yard, it must be beautiful in the spring.

I had some Veteran's from the Rome VFW there and it was wonderful to take him on a tour through my art and tell the stories of "A Military Experience - A Parent's Perspective".  Love my Military family; it continues to grow everywhere I go.  There were two Gold Star families there.  The woman in purple lost her husband in Vietnam.  At the time our country was not kind to the families of the fallen.  I have to say thank you to all my Veteran's families who have lost a loved one.  I cannot imagine the loss of a hero so dear to them.  

Now on to the next event within this exhibition.  The Rome Art and Community Center has extended a special night March 18th in which they will be open for a special presentation from 6-8pm of "A Military Experience - A Parent's Perspective".  I have invited the North Syracuse VFW, the Marine Corp League of Syracuse and several public officials, Senator Chuck Schumer, Congressman Dan Maffei, NY Senator John DeFransico, NY Assemblyman Bill Magnarelli and Rome's Mayor Joseph Fusco.

 The show will be up until the 5th of April.  Rome Art and Community Center has hours M-Th 10-5 and Fr 10-2.  Winter hours are closed on the weekends.  If you can come to the event on March 18th, you will get the presentation from me with their stories.  It takes about 45 minutes to an hour to get through all the paintings and I promise there will be times that you may tear up (that's ok because I do too).  There is a reality in what you see and hear.  Each painting has deep meaning with a variety of topics and I chose many mediums such as Oil, Pastel, Acrylics Drawing Mediums and Mixed Media.  

2013 Exhibition at the Rome Art and Community Center

It strikes a cord of awareness that few American's understand.  Perhaps it is time to take a look.  "A Military Series - A Parent's Perspective" is as much about our sons as it is the families who stand behind them.  They deployed and we did too.  Their journey became our journey as we witnessed all they experienced.  I read dusty letters that were written in sandstorms telling me what life was like.  Some were written for others with instructions: do not send until I come home (two different types of homecomings in that meaning).  Forest handed his most sensitive documents (power of attorney, birth certificates, credit cards, drivers licence, social security) to a complete stranger, Joel McCann, a proud Dad of Lcpl Rob McCann and Lobsterman as he left the continental US to Afghanistan, (Joel is a part of my 3rd Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment family and close friend - send more lobsters Joel, the last ones were delicious!).  Please know my Marines, current Armed Forces, Syracuse Marine Parents, 3/6 Battalion, 2nd Marine Division, and my Veteran's are my family, too.  That is what happens to you when your son becomes a part of the Military.

New Life Church 2011 presentation of "And We Prayed"

Bridadier General Lori Reynolds,
2nd Marine Division's Reunion

Please do everything you can to come as I work to get this series around our nation. 
  

Art Opening at the Rome Art & Community Center for Series

Two days to go until "A Military Series - A Parent's Perspective" debuts at the Rome Art and Community Center at 308 W Bloomfield St  Rome, NY 13440.  What a lovely venue at this stone mansion to tell the stories of my Veterans, and their families.  The opening is 2/21 starting at 6:00 pm to 7:30 pm.  About 6:15 I will begin presenting their stories.  Please, if you can come, I would love to see you there with me.  The Rome Art & Community center will host the event from 2/21 to 4/5 and they are open during the weekdays.  The show is all set.  Looks like the weather will be cooperating with us.    Can't wait to see you there!

Upcoming, New Events for the Year

Upcoming events!  I have had a small showing of my paintings on display since December with the CNY Associated Artist's Gallery in the Shoppingtown Mall in DeWitt, NY.  It was located in the display window downstairs near the library.  Many people saw the artwork and commented on the portraits.  Many thanks to Peter Sabova for having me show my work in one of his locations in the mall.  It was Good exposure.

So now on to a true Art show which is different than what I have done than any other venue!  Until now, I have been showing my work in very public expos, ball games, reunions and homecomings.  On Tuesday I have to move paintings for its new venue at the Rome Community Center, opening 2/21 from 6-7:30 pm where I will be presenting my series "A Military Experience - A Parent's Perspective" with their community and its veterans.  I will be renting a minivan to bring it over.  Could use a little help.  Anyone available 9-11:00 am? Inviting all that would like to come to the opening.  Pretty place!  Along with telling their stories, I will be selling giclee prints and notecards to help move the series to its April venue with "Hope For The Heroes Gala Affair in Washington, DC.

On the home front, Forest and Rachel are now happily married as of December 15th.  They are currently  down in Jacksonville, NC, just off base.  Forest is resigning for the next four years, so a lot happening in this young Marine's life.

More to come.    

Veterans Expo, CNY Womans December Issue and a Marine's Wedding Day

Well its about time I catch everyone up on the events that have taken place since the Veterans Day Parade.  It has been a very busy time.  I was able to appear on a segment on "Bridge Street" (a local talk show here in Central New York about the expo with our Assemblyman Bill Magnarelli.  The Veteran's Day Parade and Expo was thrilling to show the paintings to so many veterans and their families.

It was also very exciting to be interviewed for an article in the Central NY Women's Magazine.  Their focus for the December issue was on Women in the Military.  Very good articles on the women of Central New York that are an active part of defending our country or helping our military through their service.

Check out the link http://issuu.com/scotsmanonline/docs/twcny_dec12/1.  The interview and article is toward the back http://todayscnywoman.com/2012/12/03/painting-heroes/.
Though that is very satisfying I am still trying to cross those bridges of the American Citizen and our military.  So my focus is going to be on getting these paintings out to teach the Average American Citizen just what a modern day warrior experiences.  The paintings are not about me, the artist.  "A Military Series - A Parent's Perspective" was created to tell their stories, so I will be calling and approaching area schools.

Another exciting event took place in December.  My son Lcpl Forest Blair married Rachel Hort in Ravenna, Ohio.  Most handsome in those dress blues Forest said "I Do" to his most lovely Rachel with full military honors.  They walked under the arch of crossed swords.

I am one blessed Marine Momma!  I have watched this hero walk through so much with the Marines over the last few years.  This was the most beautiful event I have ever witnessed.  Rachel is an incredible woman, as beautiful on the inside as she is on the outside.  Welcome to the Marine Corps Rachel!  This is a most amazing family and you will live in a very extraordinary way while Forest serves his country.

Hope you all have had a wonderful Christmas and New Years.  So much to share and do.  I will be updating on all the events coming up this year.