Military Warriors Support Foundation

View Original

"You are not alone.  I am here." 

"You are not alone.  I am here."Susan Norris, the New Mexico-based artist-sculptor whose works are in public and private collections in the U.S. and overseas, has donated a 9/11 themed painting as a fundraiser for Military Warriors Support Foundation (MWSF).The painting is based on medical worker Anne Bybee's photo of a cross that had formed from two beams of New York City's World Trade Center towers, destroyed by planes on September 11, 2001. Bybee said it brought her peace. "I got a very strong message," she told the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association. "That message was 'You are not alone.  I am here.'" The cross is the feature of a 54-minute 2006 documentary, The Cross and the Towers.Autographed by the artist, the painting is available as a highest quality 12x15 print for $245 from the artist at this link. Shipping, handling and any taxes are included.  Net proceeds from the sale of Norris' prints will go to Military Warriors Support Foundation.The original painting was purchased by a former chief executive of a major American corporation who gave it to a Medal of Honor recipient who then donated it to the Country Club of the Rockies near Vail, Colorado.Military Warriors Support Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit charity, founded by Lt. General Leroy Sisco (Ret), in 2007. Their mission is to provide crucial transitional support for our nation’s combat-wounded heroes, Gold Star spouses, and their families. Their programs focus on housing and homeownership, recreational activities, transportation assistance, and leadership development. Through select programs, they have awarded nearly 900 mortgage-free homes in all 50 states and over 110 payment-free vehicles. In addition to the home or vehicle, the families receive family and financial mentoring. For more information, visit MilitaryWarriors.org.One of MWSF’s home recipients, Retired U.S. Army Master Sergeant & Purple Heart recipient Dennis Norrod, said, "It really did happen.  I still wake up some days and can't believe it."  Retired U.S. Army Staff Sergeant Marlene Rodriguez, one of only 500 women to receive the Purple Heart, was on the verge of being homeless. SSG Rodriguez was awarded a mortgage-free home and, while in the program, learned the skills for financial independence and security. SSG Rodriguez motivates other disabled veterans and wants to be the first female Purple Heart veteran to reach the top of famous mountains across the planet. The MWSF YouTube has many videos of other veterans and Gold Star families they have served.For artist Susan Norris, donating prints of this painting to Military Warriors Support Foundation was based on her devotion to veterans. "They have given us so much, and expect so little in return," she said, adding "we're in debt to them for the lives we so richly enjoy."To purchase, please visit this link.