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FALLEN WARRIORS CARDS
Photo By:
Dan Trevan - Union Tribune
Dan Trevan - Union Tribune
Veteran designs playing cards to memorialize Marines who have died in Iraq
By Linda McIntosh - linda.mcintosh@tinews.net
By Linda McIntosh - linda.mcintosh@tinews.net
Al Davis, a Vietnam veteran, wanted a way to honor
his friend's 18 year-old son who was killed in Iraq.
"I wanted to do something for the family - something
to help them heal," said Davis, 58.
Davis also needed some healing himself and naturally
turned to his art. He was going to make a memorial for his friend's son, but
then he thought of the man's fallen buddies.
He came up with a list from the Department of Defense of 692 Marines who
were killed in Iraq from March 19, 2003, to March 19, 2006, the date he
chose because he considers it the third anniversary of Operation Iraqi
Freedom. He wanted to memorialize them all. Davis already made prints
honoring Marines collectively and wanted to do something more personal. So
he inscribed their names on two decks of cards.
Davis knows those names by heart now. "He must have rechecked the
spelling of the names 100 times to make sure they were right," said Robert
Sechler, Davis' longtime friend. "I just want people to look at them and
appreciate the sacrifice these kids have made, regardless of what they think
of the war," Davis said.
The cards include the name, age and rank of each Marine and where he or
she is from. "Each one tugs at your heart," Davis said. The cards are filled
with Marine Corps symbolism and art. The box cover shows the commander
in chief surrounded by Marines honoring fallen warriors. "This is a way to
remember, "said Davis.
In the background, the eagle, globe and anchor have been struck by
lightning, and the globe has turned to gold, emitting a bright light. Fallen
warriors are walking into the light. The words Semper Fi are on the bottom.
The face cards of one deck show the Marine Corps commandants from 1775
to 2006. The other deck depict the Sergeant's Major Marine Corps from 1957
to 2006.
Davis carried 30 sets to the Wounded Warrior Center at Camp Pendleton. "A
lot of Marines are keeping the cards to honor their fellow comrades, but
they're not taking them out and playing with them," said Staff Sgt. Lawrence
Sommer.
his friend's 18 year-old son who was killed in Iraq.
"I wanted to do something for the family - something
to help them heal," said Davis, 58.
Davis also needed some healing himself and naturally
turned to his art. He was going to make a memorial for his friend's son, but
then he thought of the man's fallen buddies.
He came up with a list from the Department of Defense of 692 Marines who
were killed in Iraq from March 19, 2003, to March 19, 2006, the date he
chose because he considers it the third anniversary of Operation Iraqi
Freedom. He wanted to memorialize them all. Davis already made prints
honoring Marines collectively and wanted to do something more personal. So
he inscribed their names on two decks of cards.
Davis knows those names by heart now. "He must have rechecked the
spelling of the names 100 times to make sure they were right," said Robert
Sechler, Davis' longtime friend. "I just want people to look at them and
appreciate the sacrifice these kids have made, regardless of what they think
of the war," Davis said.
The cards include the name, age and rank of each Marine and where he or
she is from. "Each one tugs at your heart," Davis said. The cards are filled
with Marine Corps symbolism and art. The box cover shows the commander
in chief surrounded by Marines honoring fallen warriors. "This is a way to
remember, "said Davis.
In the background, the eagle, globe and anchor have been struck by
lightning, and the globe has turned to gold, emitting a bright light. Fallen
warriors are walking into the light. The words Semper Fi are on the bottom.
The face cards of one deck show the Marine Corps commandants from 1775
to 2006. The other deck depict the Sergeant's Major Marine Corps from 1957
to 2006.
Davis carried 30 sets to the Wounded Warrior Center at Camp Pendleton. "A
lot of Marines are keeping the cards to honor their fellow comrades, but
they're not taking them out and playing with them," said Staff Sgt. Lawrence
Sommer.
©2004 today'slocalnews inc. all rights reserved
Oct. 25, 2006
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