Each year, the VFW encourages high school students to participate in the VFW Auxiliary's Young American Creative Patriotic Art Contest. This contest began in 1979 to recognize young artists and encourage patriotism in youth. The Melrose VFW chose this painting as the winner at the local level, and will advance to the district level. Melrose Area High School student, Yasli Jimenez, 12th grade, is the artist of this piece.
The title of this painting is: Walter Tanaka
Artist's Statement:
This artwork depicts Walter Tanaka. Tanaka, who along with his military unit, was jointly honored with the Congressional Gold Medal in San Jose, California on February 12, 2012. He died a week later, at the age of ninety-four. The Congressional Gold Medal is Congress's highest expression of national appreciation for distinguished achievements and contributions by individuals or institutions.
"I was at my dad's Gold Medal Ceremony," Karan Tanaka Lucas, Walter's daughter and a retired Twin Cities physician, said. "He had severe advanced dementia by that time, and the last coherent sentence he said to me as we entered the hall was, 'A lot of soldiers here.' They were all old Japanese-American veterans in their suits and military caps. We buried my dad with his medal in his hands. It validated his life."
Patriotism means having a deep love and devotion for one's country. It involves manifesting support, loyalty, and pride in the values and culture of your nation. I believe that Walter Tanaka had these qualities. I hope to share Tanaka's achievements through my art.
Link: https://www.srperspective.com/post/bringing-honor-to-his-family-name
Congratulations to Yasli Jimenez!
#DutchmenPride