PRIVATE COLLECTION
[Note: Please click post title to see the painting.]
Two years ago I painted this watercolor after reviewing many photographs sent in letters to my family from pen-pal soldiers serving in Iraq. I fashioned this soldier’s face from the images in my mind conjured not only from the photographs, but from their letters as well.
The title of the painting, “Any Soldier”, was chosen because of the “Any Soldier” letter writing program in the United States Military. Any civilian may write a letter addressed to “Any Soldier”, and the letter will go into a bin, box, or basket for soldiers to pick from at random.
This soldier is my tribute to the brave men and women serving in our armed forces, to show my gratitude and appreciation for their selfless service and devotion to the ideals and values held precious in the hearts of generations of Americans, regardless of and held separate from political opinions.
Copyright © 2005, 2007 J.L. Fleckenstein ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
June 25, 2007 at 2:23 pm
You are obviously a very skilled artist and have a considerable gift. So I hope you might be willing to explain to me, an Irish European, why you feel the need to make such a tribute in the terms you have stated in your post. I am really seeking to gain some understanding. You possibly have no understanding of how strange the concept you express is to many Europeans. Maybe if I could understand I would be less critical but lacking understanding….
June 25, 2007 at 2:46 pm
An excerpt from the response I sent to Seamus:
“The soldier operates separate from the politics of a nation. The soldier serves his or her country, in most cases very earnestly and sincerely. From my observation, the soldier is willing to serve despite his or her personal comfort or wishes, something many people are unwilling to do. They face terrible circumstances and situations, loneliness, and fear while the rest of us live our lives and go about our business.
”
From my conversations via written letters with many, many soldiers I have found them to be good men and women deserving of support, love, and respect from their homeland and countrymen — leaving behind all national and international political agendas …”
~J. L. Fleckenstein
August 25, 2007 at 12:18 pm
Your beautiful watercolor of a soldier has a striking resemblance to my new Marine soldier son Jayson. He is away at training camp and so very proud and honored to serve. You are right. He said it doesn’t matter who is running the country, what matters is to keep us safe. Although I have pictures of him, I bookmarked this page because it is a true reflection of a soldier and just happens to look like him.
Also, your knitting is fabulous and I plan to knit up a few gift bags to set around the house. The make lovely accent pieces.
August 26, 2007 at 6:54 pm
Oh my but your paintings are wonderful! I also love how you explained about supporting our soldiers who are serving their country. My son was in Iraq and away from home for over a year in the National Guard. I can’t tell you how very touched he was by all of the kind gestures that were done for him and his comrades while he was so far from those that knew and loved him. Thank you so very much for your very lovely tribute to the Soldier with your painting!
October 30, 2007 at 5:39 am
I have to say I admire your life and your desire. The “Any Soldier” painting I came upon because I was searching for a pattern for hobo gloves to crochet. I am an Army wife of over 20 years and now close to my husbands retirement he has to go to Iraq. I admit I have mix feelings of this assignment because he could have retired, but he took a promotion that has him assign at a Army base that we are not at. We came from Germany and were assign to an Air Force Base, and then with his promotion he could not stay here. Long story short, I did not move because my kids were in high school and one was graduating and one is a sophmore. It is hard and harder now that a 15 month seperation will become on top of that another 15 months. But I just want you to know I love your painting. And if you have any patterns for a crochet hobo glove send them to me please.
Thanks
Susan
January 16, 2008 at 3:40 am
Thank you for this beautiful tribute. It’s Amazing… It’s Heartfelt… It brings tears to my eyes.
SGT P
(desert-dragonfly)
May 19, 2008 at 4:58 pm
That’s great you’ve become pen-pals with so many soldiers overseas. I’m sure each letter brightens their day.
In recognition of Memorial Day iwiLetter.com (send real letters, write online) is offering our Free “Memorial Day Mail Call” campaign (http://iwiLetter.com/Military). U.S. Military personnel and their families are invited to use iwiLetter.com’s letter writing services free of charge during the entire month of May, and can also enter to win one year of our services for free. iwiLetter.com makes letter writing convenient by allowing users to simply visit iwiLetter.com and type their letter online, iwiLetter.com then handles the rest: printing the letter on recycled paper, placing it in a recycled envelope with a first-class stamp and mailing it through the U.S. postal service within 24 hours, including letters sent to U.S Soldiers overseas.
July 11, 2008 at 11:42 pm
Very beautiful.
I run a martial arts school in Valley Springs Ca. We’ve found that our brand of kung fu and probably others is very helpful for returning soldiers suffering from PTSD. We are offering our services free of charge to all veterans of Iraq and Afganistan for the remainder of the year.
I would like to request permission to use the picture of your painting in the flyer I plan to distribute to advertise the service. If you are good with this I would of course credit you or your website on the flyer.
Thanks for your consideration
Phil
May 20, 2009 at 11:50 pm
Nice web site. I will visit again.