(PASADENA, CA) At a badge pinning ceremony held at Fire Station 34 on Del Mar Blvd in Pasadena this week parishioners and Volunteer Ministers of the Church of Scientology of Pasadena commemorated the tenth anniversary of 9/11 by donating a limited print edition of the moving watercolor titled “Unspoken Courage” by acclaimed watercolor artist POMM to the station.
POMM created the artwork after she traveled to New York City with the Scientology Volunteer Ministers during relief efforts in September 2001 and was inspired by the valor she observed in firefighters at Ground Zero. It depicts a fireman and two children in front of Old Glory with the ashen remains of the World Trade Center towers scattered at their feet.
“This painting is an acknowledgment to all heroes who work daily to keep us safe from harm,” said POMM. “I painted this work from my heart. You were there ten years ago and you are still there for us now.”
"Unspoken Courage" is the only piece of art chosen to hang on the three-story Memorial Wall, a tribute to the fallen heroes of September 11th, at the New York City Fire Department headquarters and training academy. POMM traveled around New York City in a fire truck to deliver prints to those fire houses that helped our country survive the attack. In recognition of her continued efforts, POMM received a plaque naming her an honorary member of the FDNY (New York Fire Dept.)
Closer to home fire stations in Burbank and Glendale have received a print of this artwork in honor of the work they do in the community.
“On the heels of the terrorist attack we know as 9/11 Americans all across the nation said, “We shall never forget.”
September 11, 2011 will mark the tenth anniversary of this tragedy and POMM’s artwork titled “Unspoken Courage” reminds all who see it to remember lives lost that day with reverence,” said Dennis J. Downs, Fire Chief, City of Pasadena. “Unspoken Courage is proudly displayed in the lobby of the Pasadena Fire Department administrative offices. The generosity shown by donating this work is greatly appreciated. Without it the Fire Department would not have been able to display this beautiful work of art.”
The painting had an inscription on it from Scientology founder L. Ron Hubbard: “Wherever man strives, wherever he works, whatever he does, the good he does outweighs the evil.”
“This commemoration is a commitment from us, the Volunteer Ministers: we were with you then and we’ll continue to be with you whenever you need us,” said Eden Stein, President of the Church of Scientology of Pasadena.
The painting was donated to the Pasadena Fire Dept. by local parishioner Ms Liz Baybak on behalf of the Volunteer Ministers of the Church of Scientology of Pasadena. Ms Baybak attended the ceremony along with several other Volunteer Ministers and local parishioners.
