This painting completed on Memorial Day, was inspired by Joe Rosenthal's photo of the second flag raising on Iwo Jima in Feburary, 1945. Also, at that time I was doing this very thing after part of a large tree had fallen and knocked down a small redwood on my property. I was able to save the tree and it is thriving. With this artwork, I would like to honor the spirit of all those who have made a sacrifice and strive to make our world a more serene and peaceful environment. - Robert Bissell