About Courage & Faith
Courage and Faith....
On 9/11 of 2001 I awoke, like most of the country, to horrific scenes. As I watched the TV I first wanted to book a flight to New York City and do whatever I could to help…even if it was to just pass out bottled water. Of course this was not possible and so I went into my studio to listen to the TV and begin my own healing by sculpting a firefighter carrying a survivor on his shoulders. I worked quickly throughout the day and into the night and soon had the image of a standing firefighter sketched out. As I placed a lump of clay on his shoulder to begin the head and image of the survivor I stopped…..it didn’t look right and I realized I hadn’t eaten and maybe needed a break. When I came back from the break I saw a new vision….the image had changed from a survivor to the head of an angel resting on the firefighters shoulder……It was not the image I had originally imagined, but rather something that had come through me. Although this is rare, once in a while I am able to step aside for a higher power to work through my hands. The rest of the sculpture came quickly. The angel appeared with very little effort. I stood back from the sculpture and I began to see this event with new eyes and new hope.
After the sculpture was completed I kept it with me in my studio for many months to remind me that we all have a guardian angel, and that we are at our finest when we give ourselves for others. The personal healing was remarkable and over time as friends and firefighters saw the clay sculpture I was encouraged to cast this in bronze. I didn’t do this for profit, but for a young woman who wanted to give the sculpture to her father, a retired fireman. I began to realize that this piece, which my wife appropriately named “Courage and Faith”, could bring hope and solace to many. I believe “Courage and Faith” came through me and not of me and I determined that our country, individuals, corporations, and communities could honor and thank our countries finest men and women with this piece of art.
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At a fire station when the crews go out on call, whatever is not bolted down is often stolen. However, a three foot bronze statue mounted to a concrete base is very difficult, if not impossible to remove. The more fire crews I talked to, the more tears I saw, the more I saw the lack of beauty and inspiration in these homes away from home, the more determined I became to find a way to gift these statues to fire stations across the country.
I know how much these stations need equipment, food, gasoline and other staples to perform their duty. And I know how tight money is, but I also know that we all need beauty and inspiration. I know how much our firefighters need to know they are appreciated. As the firefighters head out of the station “Courage and Faith” can be there to remind them that there is a Angel guiding, protecting, and covering them no matter what may come. What these men and women do, they do because they are the givers in our society. Not for glory or fame or money, but because it is in their blood and their spirit to think of others first. I hope that I can be half as selfless and that I can find others to join with me to present every fire station in this country with just one small piece of art from our hearts to say “Thank You”.
Please visit our About our Project Page to read a little more about the sculpture and the two firefighters who make up the marketing team for the Courage and Faith Project. The Awards & Tributes Page shares stories about the firefighters who have received our sculpture as an award for bravery in fire and rescue situations. I would love to hear your stories as well and if you would like to have one of these sculptures at your department then our marketing team will help find a way to do just that.
Sincerely,
Ron Head
We will donate 20% of the proceeds from each installation to a firefighter fund.
Please click on the image or the slide show to see a larger view.
