I remember two places I have been in my life... 1) where I was the day in 1969 when Americans landed on the moon  2) where I was on the day of September 11, 2001.

I was a "Patriot" of my country before 911.   After 911, all of America were Patriots.  It was so good to see the nation in unity, by  race, by political views, by religion... we were a united country.  We had to be to make it through this horrific time.
I was asked by the committee in Ontario to be their official artist for the Police and Fire Games.  They wanted me to do an artpiece that depicted our hearts and our loss.  Amita Patel, a brilliant lady, and I worked on this artpiece together. She saw the vision for a simpler rendering, and by her input, this was born. 


911 WE WILL NEVER FORGET IMAGES, FREE SHIPPING

Being a Patriotic Artist, I love my country and I love this flag. I love the fact that I share this heart of mine with most Americans...  The FireFighters, the Police, the Sheriff's, the Military (they deserve to be capitalized)...
"I, we" still carry the cross for 911.
That also led me to paint this painting.

This is Bill Spade, F.D.N.Y., retired, Rescue Co. 5
I met Bill at The Ontario Convention Center, California for the Police and Fire Games.
Bill was called to the Twin Towers on September 11, 2001, driving the truck of Tactical Support 2.
Bill's squad had been detained briefly on a previous call, so Bill drove his smaller rig alone to the Twin Towers.
He remembers this day as if it was yesterday, as his eyes well up with tears while he tells of the heroics
of all the Firefighters, Port Authority and Police that day.  
Bill arrived at the Twin Towers just as the second plane had hit the buildings.
He rushes in to help lead people to safety. Bill tells the story of the towers falling, total blackness,
digging out of the debris and the day he will never forget.  Over half of "his" Rescue 5 are missing, never to be seen again.
As I listen to Bill tell his story, I see his face and feel his broken heart.
He will never be the same man he was before 911.
I understand more now, the family that firemen are to each other... and understand
that if Bill had gone to the Twin Towers with his crew... he would not be here talking with us today.
They are family... they live together... they die together!
God bless you Bill and all who so heroically saved thousands that day... and those who gave the greatest sacrifice... 

When I asked Bill Spade if I could give him this artwork... his eyes told me more than yes.
Fire Truck 79 that I painted in the painting was a truck from Staten Island... where Bill came from.
He quietly looked over the Firefighter on the pole raising another flag... the Fireman walking slowly holding onto another flag
to be placed strategically where it would inspire others searching to remember... "We Are Americans!"
To me... the whole story can be found in the eyes of the search dog...


I wish to share this actual photo and others with you from that day... "WE WILL NEVER FORGET!"

His eyes say it all... America NEVER FORGET!




BRAVERY everywhere you turn...
AMERICA...
Can you imagine anything or anyone going into "such an unknown" ?



WE STAND BY FAITH...
WE ARE A CHRISTIAN NATION!





In the face of destruction...
In the face of war...
Our FLAG flies because...
WE ARE AMERICANS!





WE DID OUR BEST... WE GAVE OUR ALL...
WE GAVE THE BLOOD OF THE INNOCENT,
BETRAYED BY EVIL...
THE TWIN TOWERS... THE PENTAGON... FLIGHT 93... WARS... MILITARY...
POLICE... SHERIFFS... FIREFIGHTERS... PORT AUTHORITY...PRIVATE CITIZENS...
AMERICANS...............
OUR FLAG STILL FLIES...
PLEASE AMERICANS... PLEASE NEVER FORGET...
2012...
MAKE A DIFFERENCE
......
PUT YOUR HEART INTO IT!

GOD BLESS THE U.S.A... Let Freedom Ring!

This is my signature artwork on which I base everything else I do.  It is my heart and soul... and my love for God.
I think that people in America forget what God has done to make our nation free.
It was our Founding Fathers that risked their lives and futures to break off from Britain to come to a land where
they could be free.  They drafted our Constitution, Our Declaration of Independence to bring to The United States of America
and a government that had never been done before.
It was truly God inspired and from God's Word.
I believe that America forgets and takes for granted the freedom that this country has.
The young people don't realize the blood that has been given to allow them to be free.
I remember my classmates going to Viet Nam.  I remember my father telling me about WWII and being a
gunner in the Army Air Corps.  I was raised with a value system that had respect for people, the Police and
wanted to thank them for helping and serving.  I still wave to Police and Sheriff's because of my upbringing.

This painting is my heart and my tears the first time I heard... "God Bless The U.S.A." by Lee Greenwood.
I prayed, "God, will you please give me a painting that depicts your heart for our land... and my heart in how
I feel for my country?"  God did His job... and I painted!  I actually heard His voice telling me what to do next.
GOD BLESS THE U.S.A... Let Freedom Ring!

AMERICA NEVER FORGET!

WE ARE AMERICANS!

For more Patriotic Art, Patriotic Greeting Cards 

KatieWest@Mindspring.com   (951) 279-4278  www.KatieWestArt.com