We Honor Heroes Serving During COVID-19
Reflecting On Memories considers it a privilege to present a personalized memorial website for the families of those heroes who have made the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty. In partnership with the Desmond Doss Foundation, any first responder, medical staff or military veteran that passes away is entitled to receive a complimentary memorial website If you have a family member or know someone who needs one, email us at:[email protected]. For a small fee, we can replicate any US military dog tag in the past 80 years. These make wonderful keepsakes for a family celebrating the life of a veteran.
Police
Artist Ray Simon is privileged to tell a visual story of the brave police who risk their lives for their communities in the line of duty. (Clockwise from top left) As pair of SWAT helicopters cross the sky to transport their tactical teams into harms way, the presence of St. Michael (patron saint of police) emerges in the clouds from which they will descend. Line-abreast, horseback patrolmen salute our flag flying at half mast in the foreground as the bugler blows taps in honor of an officer down, symbolized by the badge lain beneath the flag. Means of pursuit and enforcement devolve from the next three elements first, from the present-day female patrolman entering her squad car while calling in to dispatch, ,then to the Model-T paddy wagon and Harley Davidson motorcycles dispatched from the station house to their next calls, and finally to the foot-patrol cop on the neighborhood beat interacting with those whom he protects and serves. In centuries old tradition, a single file row of Crown-Victoria squad cars process in escort to honor the fallen, as one of our finest looks over this scene from the clouds. In the foreground, a sole patrolman clutches the folded flag to his breast in preparation for the formal presentation of the flag. We are proud to offer these personalized memorials to those who have responded to the bravery and sacrifice of Police Officers throughout our history. Contact us today if you have had a loved one who has sacrificed their life for their community in the line of duty.
Firefighters
Artist Ray Simon is privileged to tell a visual story of the brave firefighters who risk their lives for their communities in the line of duty. Our customizable versions of the print include a die-cut oval for insertion of the Firefighter's image among a collage of poignant moments of Firefighting and saving lives.
The Painting comprises of four firefighters ascending a ladder to battle a building blaze fading off to a firefighter operating a deck pipe from a fully mechanized pumper circa 1920. In the background of the painting firefighters drive back a wildfire. Anchoring the painting is a Fireman comforting a child he has rescued. An image of an early 1900's horse drawn steam pumper responding to action is subtly blended on the bottom right. Rounding out the painting is a fireboat circa 1951: a solitary firefighter confronting a ferocious fire exhibits a hero's unflinching determination, an air tanker drops fire retardant material to cut off an advancing forest fire aided by smoke jumpers. The loyal Dalmatian stands beside the Firemen Maltese representing unconditional loyalty to all the brave men and women who represent our firefighters. We are happy to offer these personalized memorials to those who have responded to the bravery and sacrifice of fire fighting throughout our history.
Army
"I am an American Soldier. I am a warrior, and a member of a team. I serve the people of the United States and live Army values. I will always place the mission first. I will never accept defeat. I will never quit. I will never leave a fallen comrade. I am disciplined, physically and mentally tough, trained and proficient in my warrior tasks and drills. I always maintain my arms, my equipment, and myself. I am an expert and a professional. I stand ready to deploy, engage, and destroy the enemies of the United States of America in combat." American Warrior is a painting by artist Ray Simon to honor the modern day Army Soldiers. Featuring images beginning with training all the way to combat. This painting represent all it takes to develop a person into a United States Soldier. If you have had a loved one or family member who has given their life in service to their country, please contact us.
Air Force
"Lord, guard and guide the ones who fly, through the great spaces of the sky. Aloft in solitudes of space, uphold them with thy saving grace. O God, protect the ones who fly, thru lonely ways beneath the sky."
Through this painting, the artist commemorates the heroism and ingenuity of those serving our nation in the United States Air Force. Since the days of Kitty Hawk in 1903, these brave men and women advanced the United States strength through aviation from last to first. This leap is exemplified by the 1903 world's first powered flight of the Wright Flyer in 1903 to the B-2 Spirit Stealth Bomber.The artist captures America's love affair and fascination with aviation as a father and his son point to the Wright Flyer going airborne for the first time, and a rank of USAF pilots who have just dismounted their T-38 Talon fighter trainers. The T-38's earliest predecessor, the Curtiss JN4 "Jenny" (the first US military trainer), banks in a final approach below.
But it is the valor of the pilot who, on a wing and a prayer and in the face of withering fire, goes out into harms way to protect those below from threats in the air and on the ground. The B-17E which (after being ferried to the front by its all-woman crew) was flown in the highest casualty wrought missions of WWII, and the pilot in the cockpit of the P-51D (who shepherded the B-17s home from these treacherous missions) at the focal point of the painting, demonstrates this indomitable spirit. From the F-15 Strike Eagle patrolling the no-fly zone over Iraq, to the HH-60 helicopters poised to recover US pilots shot down, The spirit of these crews renders the title of this painting as appropriate then, as it is fitting today...Heroes of the Sky.
Marines
Artist Ray Simon proudly celebrates the forever loyal U.S. Marines who serve their country with distinguished discipline, courage and character. "Always Faithful" honors and chronicles the history, mission and tradition of the beloved Corps. Contrasts of light and shadow; sun and dark clouds; and formal-dress blues against murky battlefield devastation evoke emotional realizations of the strength, hope, grace and pride that inspire a Marine's intrepid heart in the face of loss and ultimate sacrifices. Top left: Nov. 10, 1775 (Day One) - The Second Continental Congress raises two battalions of Continental Marines in the war for independence against the British. Unfolding beneath top left: Driven by the presence of Old Glory, the Corps' first officer, Major Samuel Nicholas, leads a battalion of Continental Marines to the damage and seizure of British naval stores at New Providence. Ghosted behind top left: The storied tablet emerges from the clouds to commemorate Tun Tavern, the birthplace of the U.S. Marine Corps and the site of Major Nicholas' inaugural recruitment of Marine battalions. Blending at right: A Parris Island formation of WWI Marines performs the carrying of the colors beside the Marine Corps band while marching to deployment. These Marines would join our allies in Europe for the historic battle against the German army at Belleau Wood, where many Marines earned the nickname Teufelhunden ("Devil Dogs"). Lower left center: A group of Vought F4U Corsair fighters dives in attack formation to back ground troops in the last land battle of WWII on Okinawa, signifying the onset of Marines in the air supporting Marines on the ground. Ghosted behind these Marine fighters, the image of Lieutenant General Louis B. Puller represents the archetypical Marine."They are in front of us, behind us, and we are flanked on both sides by an enemy that outnumbers us 29:1. They can't get away from us now!" - Lewis B. "Chesty" Puller, USMC Bottom foreground: In what may be the quintessential image of the U.S. Marine Corps, Marines and Navy Corpsmen raise the flag atop Mt. Suribachi beneath the South Pacific sky during the bloody battle of Iwo Jima.Faded near bottom right: (Nov. 26-Dec 13, 1950) - A column of the 1st Marine Division in Korea defies the odds, the elements and the enemy while breaking through Chinese lines in the Chosin reservoir. Bottom right: A tenacious battalion of Marines in Vietnam defends their firebase during both the siege at Khe San and the relentless assaults of the Tet offensives.Focal center: To express a grateful nation's remembrance of every fallen Marine, the Marine Honor Guard presents the American flag folded 13 times, a ritual that reveres our brave Marines while it celebrates our great country and all for which it stands.
Navy
"It Follows than as certain as that night succeeds the day, that without a defensive naval force we can nothing definitive, and with it, everything honorable, and glorious"
About the Artist
Artist Ray Simon is nationally known for his works involving professional atheletes and athletic associations, entertainers, and paintings for the Department of Defense. Artist Ray Simon has initiated several programs that honor our fallen heroes who have lost their lives in the war on terrorism and law enforcement officers within the United States. Ray Simon, Inc. has given away over 7000 framed prints and memorial candles to the bereaved families throughout the nation and in Washington D.C. in conjunction with the National Fraternal Order of Police. All these products are underwritten by local and national companies. Wilbert Funeral Services, Compco Industries, Clarence Smith, Denise & John DeBartolo York and the San Francisco 49ers, Mr. Tony Cafaro the Cafaro Company, Mr. David Diebel of Boardman Steel and Mr. Bruce Zolden Phantom Fireworks. His works are displayed in the White House, The Pentagon, The Capital, FT. Knox KY United States Army Recruiting Command, The John F. Kennedy Warfare Ctr. Ft. Bragg and many more! Ray’s works have been written up and aired on News Week, Time Magazine, The Associated Press, CNN, A&E Biography, ABC,CBS,NBC,CNBC.
What Is the Heroes Tribute Project?
Reflecting On Memories has partnered with Desmond Doss Foundation.org to help honor our fallen heroes by providing customized memorial WEBSITES free of charge to families. If you have had a loved one, military, medical or first responder that has fallen in the line of duty, contact us and we are more than happy to create a beautiful keepsake memorial website will keep their memory alive for many years. An exact copy of their military dog tags can be given as special keepsake gifts or given to the pallbearers for a thank you special gift.