Niagara recieves artwork honoring military heritage

by Tech. Sgt. Andrew Caya
914th Airlift Wing Public Affairs

5/9/2013 - NIAGARA FALLS AIR RESERVE STATION, N.Y. -- A new display honoring American Veterans is slated to be added to the Heritage Room in the community activity center here.

Created by Vietnam Veteran Dan DeCrow, the piece titled "Never Forget Silhouette" pays respect to the war dead and veterans World War I to the present.

The silhouette has items representing the major conflicts of the last 100 years. An entrenching tool of World War I; pants bloused in boots and a canteen, symbolic of World War II; the type of helmet service members wore in the Korean War; and the M-16 carried by those in the jungles of Vietnam. The Silhouette is paying respect to the Kevlar helmet on top of a modern M-16 which symbolizes those who fought and died in the current War on Terror. Finally, there are empty dog tags, symbolizing the lack of space for the names of the men and women who died fighting for this country.

This is just one of many signs that DeCrow has made. When he completes them, he donates them to families who have lost loved ones in support of the nation's defense.

"This particular sign was donated to the Niagara Falls ARS through the local chapter of the Patriot Riders motorcycle club, as they wanted the sign to have maximum visibility with current military members," said Senior Master Sgt. Michael Roach, 914th Services superintendent.

The Patriot Riders escorted the artwork to the base where a dedication ceremony held in the community activity center .

DeCrow's brother in-law, Dan Walsh, also a Vietnam Veteran, provided the original materials and equipment for Decrow's memorials.

"Sometimes people see these memorials and purchase them," said Walsh. "When they do, every cent is put back into making more memorials."

"This piece will be great to have in the heritage room in the community activity center," said Roach. "We are now trying to collect items like this and display them for the military heritage, not just Niagara, but for all U.S. Military."

"It's great that this artwork is going to be displayed in an area where Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Marines can view it regularly," said Walsh.