CONTACT: Lt. Col. Paul Fanning, 518-786-4518, cell (518) 441-4106

FOR RELEASE: Thursday, Nov 12, 2009

WHO:

Artist Phil Taylor and his wife Lisa of the American Fallen Soldier Project

WHAT:

LATHAM, NY (11/10/2009--The American Fallen Soldier Project based in Texas is coming to the state headquarters of the New York National Guard to present a painted portrait of the late Sgt. David M. Fisher of Watervliet to his mother. A special ceremony is set at the Division of Military and Naval Affairs this Friday afternoon November 13th. Portrait presentation ceremony to Vicki DiMura, the mother of the late Sgt. David M. Fisher, New York Army National Guard. Members of David's family will be attending along with other family members and friends. Also participating will be Soldiers assigned to Latham-based units of the New York Army National Guard and other employees of the Division of Military and Naval Affairs

WHEN:

1:30 p.m., Friday, November 13th (media wishing to come are requested to arrive at least 15 minutes early if possible.)

WHERE:

Division of Military and Naval Affairs, 330 Old Niskayuna Road, Latham, NY 12110

The late Sgt. David M. Fisher was among hundreds of members of the New York National Guard that were mobilized in 2004 for service in Operation Iraqi Freedom. He was killed while on patrol in Iraq on December 1st, 2004 when the vehicle he was riding in overturned. He was the vehicle gunner. At the time of his death he was age 21. He first joined the National Guard on November 19th, 2001 and served until his death with the 1st Battalion 101st Cavalry based at the Glenmore Road Armory in Troy. He lived with his family in Watervliet and was a 2001 graduate from Watervliet High School. Texas artist Phil Taylor and his wife Lisa of the American Fallen Soldiers Project will present Vicki DiMura with a portrait of her late son at a special ceremony at the state headquarters before other family members, friends and co-workers at the Division of Military and Naval Affairs. Vicki became an employee of DMNA in February of this year in the Yellow-Ribbon RE-Integration Program Office which plans, coordinates and conducts re-integration events for returning National Guard Soldiers with their families, employers and the community. The American Fallen Soldiers Project is a 501 3 non-profit organization committed to honoring the memory of fallen military personnel by presenting the next of kin with custom portraits of their late loved one at no cost. From its website is the following statement from the artist to family members of fallen service men and women: "It is my desire that each portrait I produce translate the deep appreciation I have for your beloved's service and sacrifice to our nation. Your loss can never be replaced, but I pray this gift can be a place of peace and reflection in your time of need. Please know that I approach your loved one's portrait with great respect and a broken heart. Thoughts of honor, bravery and valor remain constant in my mind as I paint and look upon their face." The project is supported by American Airlines which transports the portraits and the artist free of charge from Texas to locations around the country for in-person presentations. Since its inception in 2007, the artist has completed nearly 60 paintings that have been presented to families across the nation. For more information go to www.americanfallensoldiers.com Members of the media wishing to cover the ceremony should contact Lt. Col. Paul Fanning at (518) 786-4518 office or at (518) 441-4106 cell