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Paintings Capture First Moments of 9-11 Combat Air Patrols
Wednesday, September 4, 2002
By Jim Garamone
American Forces Press Service

A North Dakota National Guard F-16 fighter screams over a burning Pentagon on Sept. 11, 2001, in this painting by Dick Herter. The painting is now part of the Air Force Art Collection.

"Most of us go to bed each night and don't give those people a second thought. We live in a country that has been safe and secure for so long, and we have taken it for granted because our warriors are so good at what they do. It's very appropriate that these paintings are featured here at the Pentagon, because it is this building, and many of the individuals in this building, that bears the scars of that morning."

WASHINGTON -- AFIS
Sept. 11 was a day when Americans rushed to the aid of each other.

New York firefighters and policemen rushed into the World Trade Center, military and civilian personnel rushed into stricken offices of the Pentagon, medical personnel in New York and Washington rushed to their duty stations.

And America's Air National Guard rushed to protect the United States against a terrorist enemy who turned passenger jets into guided missiles.

Air Force Secretary Jim Roche and Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. John Jumper unveiled two paintings honoring that moment at a Sept. 4 ceremony in the Pentagon. The paintings, by Rick Herter, are now a part of the Air Force Art Collection. They were sponsored by Rolls-Royce North America and Boeing Integrated Defense Systems.
(More: DoD News Source)
2002 © The United States Department of Defense.

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