Operation Fly Like An Eagle
In December 2001 - forty eighth grade students, participating in a special projects class at Nebraska City Middle School, created a mural in response to the events of September 11. The mural and the events related to its creation came to be known as Operation Fly Like An Eagle.
The mural was first displayed in the Nebraska City Middle School commons area from late December 2001 until May 2002. At the end of May, by special arrangement, the mural was sent to Ganci Air Base, Kyrgystan for display in support of American and coalition military forces participating in Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan.
Accompanying the mural to Ganci Air Base were donations made by eighth grade students of comfort foods for military personnel as well as treats, clothing and toys for children of the region.
The mural remained at Ganci Air Base during the summer months and returned to Nebraska City in August with commendations and letters of appreciation from coalition forces. With it’s return, the mural and artifacts were displayed at the Morton James Public Library in Nebraska City in observance of the first anniversary of 9/11.
The adventures of the mural have been well documented. The Nebraska City News-Press featured two stories on Operation Fly Like An Eagle in 2002. The first article appeared on May 28 in a special Memorial Day edition. The second article appeared on the first anniversary of 9/11 after the mural had returned home.
In addition to the newspaper articles, a ten minute video was produced by NCMS instructors Joel Sunderman and Mike Little using Operation Fly Like An Eagle as the centerpiece of the production. The video is a tribute to the American spirit following the events of September 11, 2001. The video was shown throughout the Nebraska City Public Schools to students and faculty in observance of the first anniversary of 9/11.
The images and captions on the web page document the history of Operation Fly Like An Eagle.
First seen on the Internet following the events of 9/11 - this is the original image that was adapted for the mural project. The image was chosen for it's ability to capture the spirit of America.
The image was converted into a four-value study using a paint program to prepare for the drawing and painting of the mural.
The values in the study are outlined in pen to change the light patterns into simple contour shapes. After outlining the shapes in pen, a drawing grid was placed on the study.
A cartoon of the mural was created. Students worked from sections of the cartoon to complete an enlarged grid drawing of individual panels to form the composition for the mural.
Using the same tempera pigments to be used in the mural, a color study was completed to act as a painting guide for students.
Students began the drawing process by converting 3x3 in. sections into 12x12 in. panels for the mural.
This is a 3x3 in. section converted to a 12x12 in. panel.
Once a drawn panel was completed, students checked the panel against the color study to prepare for painting.
Students painted their individual panels using tempera pigments matched against the color study.
This is one of 56 completed 12x12 in. tempera panels that made up the total mural.
The panels were laminated for durability and ease of display.
The 56 sq. ft. mural was displayed for the first time in the Nebraska City Middle School commons area - December 2001. As the mural progressed, students began to take ownership in the project. Many of the students wanted to share their work with the rest of the community.
As a way to share our work with the rest of our 'community' - Capt. Kathryn 'Kat' Coffman, USAF was contacted via e-mail at Ganci Air Base, Kyrgystan. Through Capt. Coffman's efforts, permission was received to send the mural to Ganci Air Base for display.
Operation Fly Like An Eagle takes flight - halfway around the world.
In our e-mail correspondence, Capt. Coffman told us about the living conditions of the people in the region. Eighth grade students responded by donating treats, toys and clothing for children in the region as well as comfort foods for military personnel to be sent with the mural.
Boxes containing the mural and donated items were mailed from the Nebraska City Post Office. The NCMS Student Council paid for the cost of mailing the packages.
Packages can take as long as two weeks to be delivered to military personnel overseas. Eight days later - Operation Fly Like An Eagle arrives at Ganci Air Base.
As a gesture of goodwill - donated treats, toys and clothing are distributed by military personnel to local children. Coalition forces also provide humanitarian aid through civil engineering projects and medical services to the people living in the region.
The mural is placed on display in the recreation facility at Ganci Air Base. Ganci Air Base is named in honor of Peter Ganci, NYC Fire Chief, who lost his life in rescue efforts at the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001.
Prior to returning to Nebraska City, the mural was flown on several missions with coalition forces. On this mission - the mural is onboard a Royal Australian Air Force tanker as it refuels a fighter jet over Afghanistan. When the mural returned home it was accompanied by commendations and letters of appreciation from coalition units stationed at Ganci Air Base who had the opportunity to view the mural as part of Operation Fly Like An Eagle.
Nebraska City
Public Schools
and
Educational Service Unit #4, Auburn, Nebraska
|
