RoG Vol 3: Honoring Soldiers

Published on December 15, 2009 by Ron Kelsey

Fellow Artists and Soldiers,

Thirteen civilians and soldiers died honorably at Fort Hood on 5 November 2009. Looking at their lives, I see a history of generosity—actions taken to defend nations and voluntary service for freedom around the world. Today I want to pay homage to their legacy by sharing four works from Reflections of Generosity.

Fort Jackson is not known for being the center of the art world. Most know it as where  men and women joining the military go through basic training. In the above photo entitled “Welcome to the Army,” Neil Jones captures the initial experience among Fort Jackson soldiers, their first step in upholding military standards. Neil (former U.S. Army SSG) explains this work further:

'Welcome to the Army' shows U.S Army recruits at basic training only moments after their very first haircuts. By showing the backs of the Soldiers' heads, revealing the immediate results of this ritualized event, the work addresses the notion of identity (the removal of the last vestige of civilian life initiates the recruit into the world of the Soldier), the power of the Army’s indoctrination process ("breaking you down to build you back up"), and finally (and perhaps contradictorily) the uniqueness and humanity of those who serve, challenging the perception that Soldiers are mindless automatons.

Prior to the Reflection of Generosity exhibit at Fort Drum, I watched Jay Walker install his painting “Fatigue." As he unveiled his work, an image of a uniform floating in space, memories of the many soldiers who paid the ultimate price for freedom flooded my mind, and I experienced the void and grief that remains after such honorary sacrifices.

After recruits receive their first haircut and uniform, they are taught honor through the Soldiers Creed. Sandra Ceas captures the essence of this creed in her sound wave digital print “Soldier's Creed” (below). Her work is a tribute to the values of a soldier, who’s daily commitment to defending freedom and democracy enables progress toward restoration and peace.


Makoto Fujimura mentions in Refractions the benefit and value of such freedom:

We have a very unique patronage system that encourages democratic patronage of the arts, such as the National Endowment for the Arts . . . connected with the Shakespeare in American Communities program, the Jazz Masters program, and the touring of Martha Graham dance troops . . . These distinctively American forms of art, I would argue, are the greatest fruits of our democracy. And we have every reason to celebrate and broadcast with pride what freedom has brought us (Makoto Fujimura, Refractions: A Journey of Faith, Art, and Culture, page 111).  

When I returned home from Iraq in May of 2009, experiencing the honor and value of freedom I and my fellow comrades had fought for was so poignant that I was inspired to create the Homecoming IR Flag lithograph edition. And as I presented these prints to multiple Soldiers returning from Iraq, I again faced the emotional turmoil of the battlefield and of reintegration at home. But I am here, and I long to honor the fallen, whose sacrifices prevent them from experiencing the homecoming they deserve.

Yours, toward restoration and peace,

Ron Kelsey, Germany
Nonprofit Artist, Military Liaison for the Arts
ron.v.kelsey (at) us.army.mil