Art Blog

          When I was just a few years old, I was helping my Dad clean out his stuff from a little apartment he was moving out of, and we found some of his old jump medals and awards from his days in the 82nd. There's a strong tradition of military service in my family -- specifically Army. In my family it's sort of expected that you will serve at least a three year enlistment to earn your place and help start the rest of your life. My Dad's airborne wings were a symbol of that belonging and acceptance that I had always been told about, as well as a coming-of-age challenge that I felt was part of my family's legacy, and I dreamed to one day earn my own. 

           The wings are not very fancy or ornate. It is a small metal pin, the center is a parachute, which looks kind of like a diamond, and extending out on both sides are an eagle's feathered wings. To see a picture of one of these badges, feel free to click the link at the bottom of the page.

          The badge symbolized commitment, loyalty, and duty to me. These values were instilled in me from a very young age and continue to be very important to me in everything I do. The badge also felt like it was a representation of my family, as most of them have one, so I've always felt that to truly earn my place in my family I must one day earn my own wings.

          I think that I really connected with this piece of artwork because I don't see much of my family very often, and I have always tried to keep up with them, and earn my place among them. This badge was like a symbol of earning my place, and kind of gave me a physical object to strive for, as opposed to just wanting to one day 'earn my place'. This made the idea more realistic, and has stuck with me ever since. I think whoever designed the wings did a good job of keeping it simple, while still maintaining meaning and value. Although it is just a simple metal pin of a parachute and wings, it is a symbol of much more, and this is captured in the badge itself.


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