For the first time in art history, an Artist and a Veteran, join together to raise awareness for the U.S. military. “For Our Troops” Collage is the product of acclaimed artist Marc Gagnon and retired U.S. Army Reserve Sergeant First Class Miguel Figueroa. Marc and Miguel's goal is to raise money and awareness for an A+ rated military charity, known as the Fisher House.
Their Vision
Their vision is to focus America's attention to our troops honor, relentless sacrifice and bravery, and as well to honor the troop's families that bear the burden.
They’re hoping to gain recognition to foster financial aid to support military families that need assistance with their medical expenses through the Fisher House. They’re exploring supporting charities that have a strong rating as well as organizations with low administrative expenses.
Their Mission
The Artist and the Veteran are working on a series of events that will lead to a National Campaign with momentum to affect the entire country.
Their Story
It all started in June 2004, when a local magazine, The Parklander, published an article on artist Marc Gagnon's artistic endeavor entitled, "We Pledge Our Sacred Honor", which hangs in the George H.W. Bush Presidential Library and Museum in College Station, Texas.
The magazine featured U.S. Army Reserve Soldier Sergeant First Class Miguel Figueroa and artist Marc Gagnon on the cover holding the collage with the footnote, "Patriotism Unites Soldier and Coral Springs Artist."
SFC Figueroa shared over 500 photographic images with the artist. The images were taken while SFC Figueroa was deployed to Iraq during Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2003. Gagnon took these images and created a photographic collage he titled, "Lady Liberty as Defender", which now hangs in the Pentagon in Washington, D.C. The images contained in this photographic collage symbolize Lady Liberty's relentless devotion, not only to welcome immigrants from other lands, but to defend liberty in other countries.
This new piece, titled "For Our Troops" is comprised of both symbolic images taken by Gagnon, combined with real photographs of American Troops in Iraq that were provided by SFC Figueroa. The piece was donated to the City of Parkland, FL on Veteran's Day in November 2007, and now hangs in the City of Parkland Library, FL.
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