Salute to Freedom Veterans Art Exhibit opening at Way
In celebration of Veteran’s Day, Way Public Library and PRIZM Creative Community are pleased to announce the opening of the Inaugural Veteran’s Art Exhibit along with a commemorative program, book signing and artist reception. The opening will be held Sunday afternoon, November 3, starting at 2 p.m. at the library on 101 E. Indiana Ave. The exhibition will be on display in the downstairs gallery area through January 3, 2014.
The program will begin with a welcome and remarks by Jim Espich, the Chief Operating Officer from the Ohio Department of Veterans Services in Columbus. The colors will be presented by Perrysburg American Legion Post 28, and Greg Herandez, will play the national anthem on the fife. The keynote feature will be a presentation by retired Colonel David W. Taylor from Medina, Ohio to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Vietnam War, followed by music, poetry, and patriotic remembrances. Light refreshments will be served at the conclusion of the program while attendees have the opportunity to enjoy the art and memorabilia exhibit. Also available will be a book signing for Colonel Taylor’s book “Our War: The History and Sacrifices of an Infantry Battalion in the Vietnam War,” and author Herbert Dettmer’s book “Others: a collection of Christian and patriotic verses, poems and prayers.”
David Taylor is a retired Colonel, Special Forces, US Army Reserve. He served four years on active duty, including combat in the Vietnam War where he was wounded twice, and twenty-two years in the Army Reserve in special operations and counter-terrorism. A young David Taylor led the Charlie Company of the 5th/46th Infantry Battalion through the heat and difficulties of fighting in Vietnam. He is Airborne, Ranger and Special Forces qualified. Colonel Taylor retired from the business world where he worked in in the plastics industry for 29 years including international operations, marketing, sales and new business development. He is an author, historian and publisher, specializing in military history. His book about the Vietnam War, “Our War, the History and Sacrifices of an Infantry Battalion in the Vietnam War 1968-1971,” was published in 2011 and is now in its third printing and his articles about war have been published in national magazines.
Included in the exhibition are original pieces of visual and literary art by retired military personnel and select pieces to honor veterans who have served our country. Of special interest is a collection of fine art work by the late Ray Porter who served in the first wave of Marines in the invasion of Iwo Jima during World War II. Also on display is a poem by Fred Taylor documenting his personal experience in the D-Day invasion of Normandy. Navy Veteran Kristen Dukat will be displaying oil paintings from a “Navy Series” she began when her son left for boot camp in 2012. Dr. Art Mancini, an Army veteran of Vietnam, will be displaying his watercolor paintings, while David Ridenour, PRIZM Veteran’s Exhibition chairman, will be displaying digital photography of Vietnam yesterday and today. David recently finished a tour of Vietnam where he recorded over 3,000 new images of the country today. Also in the display will be steel sculptures by Thomas Roller, sculptures and paintings by Marvin Gerhart, an oil painting by Emanuel Enriquez, and drawings by Randy Minnich.
Dee Brown has developed a mixed media piece to honor her father David Brown, an Army Chaplin from the Vietnam War, while J. D. Jensen is sharing a selection depicting the new 9/11 Memorial in NYC in memory of his Navy veteran father Hyrum Jensen and the next generation of personnel currently serving. Betty Wielant will be displaying an oil painting honoring her brother Dennis Challan, while Beth Ware uses her talent with pastels to honor her husband’s service. Also included are poetry and inspirational verses by Fred Taylor, Dave Meyer, and Louella Ridenour.
Part of the artistic display will include memorabilia of veterans from various branches of service including World War II veterans Donald Underwood, U.S. Navy, and Ray Porter, U.S. Marines. Also providing memorabilia of the Vietnam War will be Army veterans Michael Ware, Robert Richardson, and David Ridenour. Memorabilia includes photos, scrapbooks, insignias, uniforms, hats, station passes, pilot’s licenses, bibles, etc. Also of special interest will be the framed posters showing the extensive collection of photographs of local service personnel, arranged by war and branch of service and compiled by the history department of Way Public Library personnel.
The Way Public Library continues to provide education, enrichment, and cultural opportunities to members of our community. PRIZM Creative Community is a 501 c.3 nonprofit organization for education, service, and collaboration in the literary and visual arts. For more information about Way Library, please visit waylibrary.info. For more information on upcoming PRIZM educational workshops and exhibition opportunities in the visual and literary arts visit the website at myprizm.com, email [email protected], or call 419-931-8732.
Press Release Contact Name: Rose Mills
Press Release Contact Email: [email protected]
Press Release Contact Phone: 419-874-3135
Organization Name: Way Library
Website or Link: waylibrary.info
Organization Address: 101 E Indiana Ave, Perrysburg, OH, 43551