Veterans Memorial Project

For Immediate Release
September 30, 2009

Robert Girandola Presents His Lower Makefield Township Veterans Memorial Sculpture

LOWER MAKEFIELD TOWNSHIP – Pennsylvania artist Robert Girandola, working as the sculptor with the Omnia Group, is presenting his Veterans Memorial sculpture for township approval today in Lower Makefield.

Since December 19th, 2007, the Lower Makefield Veterans Committee has been working to bring a veterans memorial to Lower Makefield. The presentation of the proposed monument will take place at the Yardley-Makefield Library at 7:30PM on Wednesday, September 30th.

Mr. Girandola’s contribution, a sculpture of an eagle taking flight, is intended to honor the veterans who lost their lives defending the United States of America. Along with its surrounding architecture it will create a space for reflection and peace.

“For me, the eagle itself has come to symbolize the human spirit taking flight. I do think it is a universal and timeless symbol open to anyone who wants to live free,” said Girandola. He feels the memorial will further distinguish Lower Makefield as its own community with its own sense of pride. “Years ago there was a local veteran's plaque located in the town but it disappeared over the years. There are scores of veterans and I can tell it's very important to them.”

Mr. Girandola has been chosen twice to participate in the prestigious “Art of the Northeast” show in New Canaan, Connecticut. He was named Yardley News Artist of the Year in 2006 for his Engine 6 memorial “We Draw Strength From Each Other,” a piece in bronze honoring four firefighters who had lost their lives on 9/11. The piece is now on permanent display near the World Trade Center.

The small-scale model being presented today is made from clay and wire and measures approximately 24” wide and 15” high.

Contact:
Robert Girandola
info@robertgirandola.com
http://www.robertgirandola.com

We Draw Strength From Each Other

Engine 6 Memorial

September 11, 2001

We Draw Strength From Each Other

I gave this speech on October 15, 2006 at a dedication ceremony in NYC - honoring four firefighters from Engine 6 who died in the North Tower on 9/11.

A person is what they do, no more and no less

A person can become what they admire.

I was at work on that day, I heard the towers had collapsed

and I ran home.

I was eighty miles away from the danger, and I ran home.

I put on the television. I watched as my head swam.

Fear, confusion, anger, frustration and sadness.

I waited impatiently for my family to come home.

And when they did, we hugged, cried.

And we watched the television to see if other, braver men and women would make things right in the world again.

We're here to honor four such men.

Lt. Thomas O'Hagan

FF William Johnston

FF Thomas Holohan

FF Paul Beyer

All of the 343 active duty firefighters who lost their lives that day. And all of the men and women who chose to put fear aside and CHOSE to make things right again. I deeply admire you.

In order to create this piece, I listened to the stories of the men of Engine 6. I read the letters their loved ones wrote. I watched that day unfold again, and again.

Amidst the cloud of pulverized concrete and glass, an image emerged.

I saw fallen heroes and the walking wounded.

I saw men and women who spent their days hoping and praying, digging, searching, thinking, tearing, praying and more hoping, praying.

I saw lives ruined and families rocked and whole communities wracked with sorrow.

And I saw men and women who CHOSE to do something about it.

I asked Billy Green, the only man from Engine 6 to have made it out of the the North Tower, "What were you most proud of that day?" and he said -

"We stood fast."

In the face of overwhelming destruction

when a nation sat in dumbstruck fear,

these men stood fast, and then,

proceeded up those stairs,

to put out "that fire."

Over thirty flights of stairs,

Turnout coats,

Soaring temperatures,

Tools

Roll-ups

I asked Billy, "How did you guys go on?" and he said,

"Well, we kind of drew strength from each other."

These men may not have been perfect, but they became perfect at that moment and in that hour. And it was this strength that transcended the darkness and the evil that was transpiring above them. I have read of firefighters despairing that they themselves did not save enough, or very little. To you, my brothers, I must say, your mere presence brought comfort to those in the final moments of their lives. You inspire in the minds and hearts in those around you an idea. The idea that you might not be perfect, but you will try to be. That you may not be able to save, but you will try to save. For in the end, all of the men and women who CHOSE to save.

And these four men.

Lt. Tom O'Hagan

FF Billy Johnston

FF Tommy Holohan

FF Paulie Beyer

You bring the promise of hope.

You draw strength from each other.

May we draw on that strength,

so that we might have the courage to do

what we should do

in the hour

of our calling.

Ringing Rocks

More Sculpting -

How Can I Inspire Thee?

How can I inspire thee?
Let me count the ways.

The bird that chirps,
the flower that blooms,
the quiet morning.

Can I do it with these?

A child’s laugh,
a lover’s breath,
the flash of a smile on a strangers face.

How can I inspire thee?
Let me count the ways.

In all these ways,
but none.
For to drink from life’s great promise,
you must awaken to a higher truth.
You are not the things in your life –
You are not the pain in your body –
You are not the torment in your soul –
You are but observer of these things.

Perhaps thou protesteth!
You’ve met with frustration,
loss,
pain.
How can I inspire thee?

Let me count the ways.

Reading these words,
or hearing them,
as a loved one reads them to you.
Behind the illusion of happiness and strength,
you know when the party stops,
and you find yourself behind the barricades,
you are alone,
and scared.

How can I inspire thee?
Let me count the ways.

Perhaps you’ve been to the depths of despair,
and think not,
I can inspire thee.

Quiet your soul,
open your heart,
and let these thoughts break in:

If there is design,
it is this –

Every moment has but one purpose,
for you to come awake to yourself.

If you take this into your soul completely,
the next bird you hear
will be your soul taking to the air.
The next time you hear the sound of a child’s laugh,
will be the stream of life rippling through you.
The next sunrise seen,
will be realized as a miracle.

Bring into your soul.
Inspiritus –
All that was,
all that will ever be.

How can I inspire thee?
Let me count the ways.

By, Robert Girandola

An Artist's Life

Daydream

Center of the Universe

Father's Day Special

I got a wonderful gift from my son this morning - A story he wrote me for Father's Day - I was so touched and moved by it, I want to share it. It fits in with the theme of my art and blog so nicely, I couldn't help it -

My First Corner Kick - by Harry

When I first did a corner kick, I was at Maccles field. The defender kicked the ball out of bounds. When the ball went out and then coach signaled me, I was about to pee my pants.

The ref put the size 4 Euro cup ball on the ground for me to kick. Then, he blew his freezing silver whistle to signal for me to kick the ball. I lined up to it and was ready to face one of my biggest fears. My dad was yelling saying you can do it Harry!! Come on, I know you can! After I heard that, I could've gone and hid in a corner. I started thinking I should just walk away now and let someone else take it. I started running, my unconfident legs feeling all noodley. I could barely run it was so uncomfortable. Then, my leg hit the ball! It vibrated a bit. I thought I did a terrible job but I looked and saw it went up and over all the heads. Someone on our team leapt in and hit it in the back of the net like a rocket! The ref congratulated me and said good job. I felt like Del Piero scoring a goal in soccer. I was so proud I couldn't trade it for all the trophies in the world.

My coach was yelling in excitement. From then on, I took all the corners on both sides. I never had any problem about corner kicks again. My dad treated me to a brand new video game because he was so proud of how I faced my fears.

I had no idea he had written this, or how he felt that day as he never told me - there are few things in life more inspiring to me than to hear stories of people who acknowledge their fear and then chose to follow their passion anyway. Thank you my son for this beautiful gift on Father's Day.