Veterans Day Reflection

Veterans Day on Hawaii Artist blog postToday, Veterans Day, we honor the men and women who have served our nation. We take a moment to reflect on the sacrifice they and their families have made for us, the people who enjoy the freedoms of the United States of America. All of us, regardless of our status as citizens, pay our respects to the more than 21 million military veterans, great men and women who proudly serve or have served in the armed forces.

Brief History of Veterans Day

Did you know there are about 21 million military veterans in the United States?
Every year on November 11th, Americans celebrate Veterans Day to honor the millions of men and women who have served in our country’s military. Did you know that this day did not always have the name Veterans Day?

We don’t know them all but we owe them all. — Anonymous

This day was originally called Armistice Day to commemorate the truce signed between the allies and Germany ending World War 1 (WW1) at the 11th hour, on the 11th day, of the 11th month of the year 1918.

The first Armistice Day celebrated in the United States was the following year on November 11, 1919. On that day, all business and activities were suspended for two minutes at 11:00 am. After the two minutes of silence, parades and public gatherings were held. In following years, a tradition began that continues today, America honored the Unknown Soldier on Armistice Day. At 11:00 am on November 11 of every year since, a color guard ceremony representing every branch of the military occurs at the Tomb of the Unknowns at Arlington Cemetery.

The name was changed to Veterans Day in 1954 to honor all veterans, including those who served in WW1. Oddly, for seven years, the day was celebrated in October. Congress moved the day to October 4 in 1968 – so that Americans could enjoy a long weekend. Fortunately, in 1975, President Gerald Ford declared the day to move back to the original, historically significant day of November 11.

More facts about Veterans Day:

  • 16.1 million living veterans served during at least one war.
  • 5.2 million veterans served in peacetime.
  • 2 million veterans are women.
  • 7 million veterans served during the Vietnam War era (1964-1975).
  • 5.5 million veterans served during the Gulf War (representing service from Aug. 2, 1990, to present).
  • Of the 16 million Americans who served during World War II (1941-1945), about 620,000 are still alive.
  • 2 million veterans served during the Korean War (1950-1953).
  • 6 million veterans served in peacetime.
  • As of 2014, 2.9 million veterans received compensation for service-connected disabilities.
  • As of 2014, 3 states have more than 1 million veterans in among their population: California (1.8 million), Florida (1.6 million), Texas (1.7 million).
  • The VA health care system had 54 hospitals in 1930, since then it has expanded to include 171 medical centers; more than 350 outpatient, community, and outreach clinics; 126 nursing home care units; and 35 live-in care facilities for injured or disabled vets.

Source: http://www.history.com/topics/holidays/veterans-day-facts

Hawaii Artist Donates to Homeless Fundraiser

Hawaii Artist Thomas Deir Donates Art For 10th Annual JABSOM Homeless Project Fundraiser

Ocean Reflection, Hawaii Abstract Painting
Ocean Reflection, Hawaii Abstract Painting

HONOLULU, HAWAII – Hawaii artist Thomas Deir, resident of Kailua, Hawaii, has donated signed artwork to the 10th annual fundraising event of the University of Hawaii John A. Burns School of Medicine’s Hawaii H.O.M.E. (Homeless Outreach and Medical Education) Project. H.O.M.E. is a non-profit organization that provides free healthcare to Hawaii’s homeless population. This year, the annual fundraiser, Ho’ola Me Ke Kahiau, “Healing with compassion through selfless giving,” will be held on Saturday, November 19th, 2016 at the Waikiki Aquarium. Proceeds from this event will benefit six medical student-run free medical clinics at homeless shelters and to the unsheltered homeless in Hawaii.

WHAT: Silent Auction and Food and Wine Tasting fundraiser to benefit the Hawaii H.O.M.E. Project
WHERE: Waikiki Aquarium, 2777 Kalakaua Avenue, Honolulu
WHEN: Saturday, November 19, 2016 from 6:30 – 9:30 p.m.

“I am honored to have the opportunity to give back to the community through the Hawaii H.O.M.E.  Project. This non-profit is all about collaboration and working with the community. The organizers and volunteers are creatively helping our community in many ways. H.O.M.E saves unnecessarily expensive trips to already busy and overworked hospitals in Hawaii. HOME is a long-term solution that can help the homeless population find much-needed care during a crisis event – and provide care to prevent a crisis event. My hope is the artwork I have donated will resonate with the supporters who will be attending the event,” said Deir.

Hawaii artist donations include Gift prints, Giclee canvas prints, Hawaii abstract paintings

Aerial Surf Hawaii Abstract Painting
Aerial Surf Hawaii Abstract Painting

“This fundraiser will occur during the Holiday Season, and I thought it would be helpful to offer Matted Gift Prints in addition to canvas Giclee prints and Hawaii abstract paintings.  I hope my donation will contribute to the continuation of the good work by the Hawaii H.O.M.E. Project.  They work they do is very important for our community,” said Deir.

For more information about the Hawaii H.O.M.E.  Project, visit www.hawaiihomeproject.org.

Hawaii artist Thomas Deir has nearly 25 years of experience in providing high quality artwork, original paintings on canvas, Giclee prints, custom tile murals and mosaics to customers in and around Honolulu, Hawaii, and other U.S. states and other countries.

Deir, founder of Thomas Deir Studios has an attitude of gratefulness and deep appreciation for the beauty of Hawaii. This is the center of the values at Thomas Deir Studios.

To learn more about Hawaii artist Thomas Deir, visit www.thomasdeir.com/about/. See the artist’s catalog of Hawaii artwork at https://www.thomasdeirstudios.com

CONTACT: Thomas Deir
PHONE: 808-783-1885
EMAIL: thomasdeir@hawaii.rr.com

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The Power Of Artistic Gifts

Art can link an emotion to an intended message. The power of artistic gifts is how they create a certain response that enhances the communication. For example, those who embrace spirituality in their lives might find dolphin art to have soothing and uplifting quality.

Artistic Gifts Leverage Communication

The power of artistic gifts is how they can leverage communication. Here’s an example. The most meaningful gifts I’ve received from my children are the handmade cards they made. Their handiwork touched me in a far deeper way than a store-bought gift.

SHOP Thomas Deir Hawaii Art onlineNot everyone has the time or has cultivated their own talent to create artwork as gifts. Today we have the luxury of jumping online to purchase unique artistic gifts. The important thing is to choose the artwork that best delivers the emotional aspect of your message.

Artistic Gifts Say, “You Value Them!”

The power of artwork as gifts is in the way it says you value the recipient. It shows that you made the effort to find a unique gift and meaningful. It communicates how you feel about them. Giving artwork, even if you are not the artist, is a way to bestow original gifts to co-workers, friends and loved ones

Art includes a variety of things such as tapestry, metal working, poetry, drawings, music, carvings, sculptures, paintings, jewelry and many more other forms. The amazing characteristic of artwork is the unique quality. There are vast art forms and they are incredibly unique.

A Final Thought…

This post touched on leveraging artistic gifts to enhance communication, a critical aspect of society. It shows one more way how art changes the world.

Bison cave paintingWhat is the first thing that comes to mind when we say the word “caveman”? Usually one of the first mental images that pops up are cave drawings. Early man communicated in ways that we wouldn’t understand today, however most everyone through the ages understand imagery. The drawings could have been made as a way to communicate a situation to others, however in a historic sense, early man’s drawings have become powerful artistic gifts to us because the drawings give us insight to the life of cave dwellers.

Art has countless expressions in man’s cultures and societies.

What is your experience with giving or receiving artwork as gifts?
Please feel free to leave your comments.

Aloha,

Thomas
www.thomasdeir.com