“Honoring the Brave”

Patty Crooks stands beside her decorated and military inspired vase the theme of which is “Honoring the Brave” that was part of  40 Weller Inspired Vases  A committee has been formed to raise funds to purchase this vase to be placed at a military site to honor all men and women veterans from all wars.

  Patty Crooks had designed and decorated this vase to honor
military men and women from all wars. The theme “Honoring the Brave” was
emphasized with a large American Flag on the front being saluted by a
soldier in silhouette. On the back were likenesses of war vehicles such as a
tank, helicopter, and ship that related to various branches of the service.

             
  As a student at Logan Middle School in Ohio during President
Richard Nixon’s administration, her class took a trip to Washington, D.C.
  She said, “I cry every time I think about that visit to the
Tomb of the Unknown Solder where President Nixon placed a wreath the day we
were on tour.”
  “I had to earn $33.00 to take that trip in the 1970’s,” she
continued. “We earned our money through various fundraisers. I was afraid
that I wouldn’t be able to raise it, but I did. I remembered the Vietnam War
and was proud of the veterans at a time when they weren’t respected as they
are today
                          
     “The vase is now a project by and for the
National Ceramic Museum and Heritage Center. Coordinator Kathy Norman leads a committee to organize a fund raiser for this project                                      

                Crooks added, “I would love to see it go to Arlington
because I was so inspired and proud on that visit in the 1970’s.  I know
people who died in the Vietnam War. It was a time that I admired the bravery
of those who served.”