Friday, May 25, 2012

Portraits of the Fallen Memorial Project







For our heroes, Greg Gagarin.  I am very honored to participate in the 
Portraits of the Fallen Memorial. 

The Purpose of the memorial is to commemorate the sacrifice of those American Military service 
members from California who have died while serving their country during the wars in 
Afghanistan and Iraq. The memorial  identify each fallen soldier with an artists rendering of the soldiers image.



This project was founded just one year ago and has already received over 100
portraits from some of the finest Southern California Artists. The first preview
exhibition was held for Veterans Day 2011 at the Terry Moore Gallery in Los Angeles
coupled with the first digital presentation.

Curator Sherry Moore matches an artist with a photograph of one of one of our fallen
troops. The artist creates a painted portrait of the fallen hero. To date there are 685
Californians who have lost their lives in support of our great country.

This project will include not only the development of a permanent structure, but also
the first digital interactive war memorial. It is expected to ultimately expand to be
nationwide and will be in Museums and other very exciting public venues across the
country.








My Hero, Greg Gagarin laid to rest



Filipino-American Staff Sergeant Greg Phil Gagarin of the U.S.  who was killed in action when an improvised explosive device went off last June 3 in Thania, Iraq, was accorded a 21–gun salute by the U.S. honor guards during the burial rites.
He also received from the U.S. Armed Forces the posthumous Bronze Star Medal, the fourth highest U.S. military award for gallantry in action, and the Purple Heart medal in recognition of his valor and dedication to duty.