"When I look back on our trip to New York City, I feel that the
members of our team each did their job to help the people of New York
City. I felt honored to share my artwork with the firefighters and
I hope we were able to help them with their healing."
|
Newly elected board member, Linda Arnold, has been keeping her brushes
wet with creativity with a recently completed painting for the families
of Oklahoma City. Delivered to Oklahoma Governor, Frank Keating, who
was moved by the piece, the watercolor now hangs in the state's capitol
building honoring the victims of the bombing of the Murrah Federal Building
in 1995.
The painting consists of 168 Indian Blanket flowers, Oklahoma's state
flower, for each of the victims of the tragedy. On the flowers are raindrops
depicting the sorrow of the Columbine community for their loss. The
work is also signed by many of the Columbine survivors to offer them
their support and unique solidarity.
The painting also spawned an additional work she did for the victims
of the September 11th tragedy when she was encourage by many in Oklahoma
City who were deeply touched by her spirited offering. Linda came up
with a symbol to represent all of the victims who perished in the World
Trade Center, Pentagon, and flights 175, 77, 11 and 93. The painting
is comprised of roses, New York's state flower, representing each continent
who lost people in the worst tragedy on American soil. Raindrops, as
with Linda's other paintings, represent the teardrops of the other American
communities who have endured violence and loss.
Linda joined others with LFC's "The Columbine Call" who teamed
up to bring healing to the people of New York where she presented the
work to firefighters at Engine 54, Ladder 4 of the 9th Battalion in
midtown Manhattan who lost 15 of their comrades, including their fire
chief, at the World Trade Center disaster.
On hand to accept the work for the FDNY was Charlie Roberto, captain
of Ladder 26 who was acting fire chief for Ladder 4. Many members of
the mission team had the opportunity to help Linda with the presentation
and spend time with many of the firefighters of Ladder 4.
As with Linda's other touching works, Columbine survivors, members of
the Columbine community and the mission team of The Columbine Call signed
the back of the painting and wrote notes to the people of the tragedy
expressing their sorrow.
"When I look back on our trip to New York City," says Linda,
"I feel that the members of our team each did their job to help
the people of New York City. I felt honored to share my artwork with
the firefighters and I hope we were able to help them with their healing."
LFC is honored to have such a talented member in its organization who
has had such a powerful impact on the world with her care for those
who have been affected by violence. 
Story by
LFC News Staff
|
