Greetings Reader,
I am in the process of doing another full portrait of my Uncle Ralph Rodriguez. He holds a very tender spot in my heart. He is a survivor of the Bataan Death March in the Philipines at the srart of WWII. He was held at Cabanatuan for 3 years before his fellow prisoners were rescued by Army Rangers in a daring raid that displayed the boldness of Ranger Robert Prince. The experiences of these Ghost Soldiers was recently retold in a Hollywood Movie . He was interviewed for Tom Brokaw's book the Greatest Generation.
He has a very strong life force and is about 96 years old and as strong as ever. He still maintains a very positive attitude about life and keeps himself busy even at his age. He , along with a group of others, started the group " Ex-Prisoners of War". He has met every President since Eisenhower.
He still lives in the adobe style house he built in Albuequerque New Mexico and he is a constant reminder to me that with time the human spirit can rise above any challenge and come out even stronger during the process. I will never know and feel what he has seen and heard, but he is a living example of patriotic fortitude.
oil on panel the view is from the 2nd story deck of his home looking out towards the Sandia Mountains. He flies an American Flag outside his front porch every day.
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Those guys gave up so much for all of us, and I am very grateful.
ReplyDeleteGod Bless Him!
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful, interesting face your uncle has. i like how you have portrayed him and the angle of his face looking up and away.
ReplyDeleteI grew up in the Philippines and have see the Bataan Memorial. I can't imagine what it took to survive that.
Jeremy,
ReplyDeleteYou said it. Every time I feel like complaining I remind myself of the sacrifices of those brave soldiers that secured my liberties.
btw...at WWWW4....did you see the spoof on youth pastors...way too funny...check it out
Thanks Mary....I hope all is well!
ReplyDeleteJanice,
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on all the doors that are opening up to you.
My uncle just started , within the last 15 years, to talk about. He used to tell me it was in the past and should stay there. If it wasn't for Brokaw all his memories would have died with him.
Hey Frank,
ReplyDeleteWonderful portrait. I can see the wisdom in his face. Great work.
Blessing to your Uncle.
Thanks Jason...I really value your opinion!
ReplyDeletef
Just read a book called Ghost Soldiers. The book was published in 2001 but I just came across it and I encourage all to read this book if you truly want to know what those man went through.
ReplyDeleteIt will open your eyes to the sacrifices many gave for our freedom.
The few still alive deserve to be recognized by our current President, Obama who probably has on idea what war is like, no idea what it is to suffer nor what these man went through.
I was but a baby back in the early 1940s but I owe my life to them and those that gave theirs so I as you could have what we have today, freedom.