Hometown Hero

The Patriot Guard Riders, the Grand Rapids and Kentwood Police Departments, the Grand Rapids Fire Department, and ITC Holdings escorted the Hometown Hero painting downtown for ArtPrize Seven. The parade started near Steelcase’s headquarters in Kentwood, Michigan. Mike Welsh, ride captain for the Patriot Guard Riders, led the procession. As the column headed east on 44th Street, American Legion Post 208 members lined the street with flags. American patriotism at its best!

I rode in Fire Truck #3 with three firefighters from the Grand Rapids Fire Department. The guys gave me a headset to wear. We chatted about ArtPrize and their work all the way to our destination: the Amway Grand Plaza Hotel. Throughout our journey, we watched the police vehicles race ahead to clear the next traffic light. We played leap frog with the police vehicles through every light. They would pass us, clear the light, then we would pass them—like a gracefully choreographed dance. It was exciting to watch these professionals—through the small fire truck window—doing their job. When we neared the hotel, our procession turned onto Pearl Street.

Thirty American flags lined the sidewalk outside the Amway Grand Plaza Hotel. The wind picked up—almost on cue—and the flags waved a hero’s welcome. Later we learned that random individuals on the sidewalks asked if they could hold a flag to participate.

The Blue Star Mothers, the event organizers, and excited visitors from both sides of the street cheered as we exited the vehicles. About a hundred bystanders helped honor fallen hero Army Spc. Eric Burri. But we also celebrated and honored all of our American heroes—the men and women in the Patriot Guard Riders, the police and fire departments, and all of the other heroic and sacrificial people in our lives.

A couple of Patriotic Guard Riders carried the painting with Eric’s portrait inside the hotel. The guests followed. The flag line entered the hotel almost military style and lined the lobby with our stars and stripes. We had a short ceremony where I talked about my artwork, our heroes, Eric Burri, his sacrifice, and his family. Then Eric’s parents were presented with the Hometown Hero III painting. The painting will be shown at Rivertown Macy’s in Grandville throughout ArtPrize before it makes its way into the Burri home.

Johnny Brann of the Brann’s Restaurants was in attendance. The Brann’s Restaurants across West Michigan will generously feature the Hometown Hero Burger throughout ArtPrize to help defray the cost of the artwork.

Guests were invited to sign the Hometown Hero painting with their favorite hero’s name. There were tears, hugs, warm conversations, and photo ops. A memorable day. A day filled with happiness and healing as we honored our heroes.