Faces of the Fallen Closing Ceremonies.
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Thursday, June 7, 2007
Official Closing Ceremonies
“Created during the conflict it commemorates, Faces of the Fallen continued the age-old tradition of artists celebrating military heroes. It honors the Renaissance ideal that art can and does transcend and heal. The faces in these portraits, so meaningful now, reach out to the future, and the fallen live on, enshrined in the memory of individuals and in the story of our nation.”
- Annette Polan, Founder/Chair, Faces of the Fallen (from the program for the Closing Ceremonies.)
Brigadier General Wilma L. Vaught, USAF (Ret), President of the Women In Military Service For America Foundation, welcomed guests to the official closing ceremonies for Faces of the Fallen, America’s Artists Honor America’s Heroes, on Thursday, June 7, at 1:30 p.m. Among those present were representatives of all branches of the United States Military Services, family members of the fallen, artists, donors, volunteers and friends. The Armed Forces Color Guard, U.S. Military District of Washington, National Capital Region presented the colors and MU1 Shana Alexander, U.S. Navy Band, sang the National Anthem. Commander Kieren Mandato, USN, gave the Invocation.
General Peter Pace, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, delivered a compassionate and compelling keynote address. On his way to the podium, General Pace greeted individual family members and expressed his personal condolences.
The program featured a symbolic transfer of six portraits from artists to family members. Each portrait depicted a fallen hero from a different branch of the Military Services. Participants in the transfer ceremony were:
Artist Martha J. Spurlock Gibby Waitzkin Laura de Reitzes Sumita Kim Robert M. Henry Georgia Deal |
Family Member Greg Commons, father Darcy Monier, mother Leah Hall, mother Susan Butler, rep. the family Dawn Peterson, mother Lorie Bullock, mother |
Fallen Cpl. Matthew A. Commons Spc. Donald R. McCune Cpl. Jason David Mileo PO2 Michael J. Gray Senior Airman Jason T. Plite PO3 Nathan B. Bruckenthal |
Service USA USARNG USMC USN USAF USCG |
Greg Commons, father of Army Ranger Corporal Matthew Commons who died in Afghanistan in March 2002, shared his heartfelt memories and reflections on his son’s life and death with the audience. In her comments, Annette Polan, Founder/Chair of Faces of the Fallen, summed up its impact and significance. “Together, in this beautiful place, we have created a community of support and belonging”, she said, “understanding that, while grief changes over time, it lasts forever.”
The solemn and dignified Closing Ceremonies concluded with the playing of TAPS by Sgt Amy McCabe, Trumpeter, “The Presidents’ Own”, U.S. Marine Band, followed by a final walkthrough of the exhibit and light refreshments.