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VETERANS DAY PARADE HONORING OUR VETERANS

2021 EV Veterans Parade celebrates art in wartime

TRIBUNE NEWS STAFF

After its pandemic-driven “parade in reverse” last year, the annual East Valley Veterans Parade will return this week with boots on the ground, marching music in the air and spectators lining the streets.

And this year the parade theme celebrates the impact of art and artists during wartime.

The parade will begin at 11 a.m. Thursday, Nov. 11, in regular format at Center Street and University Drive, Mesa, then proceed south on Center, turning west onto 1st Street and continuing to Robson.

Art can inform and inspire. It can capture complicated emotions and record history from a unique viewpoint. These roles of art and artists take on added emphasis in times of war.

Portrait artists have captured the faces of historic military leaders for posterity. Sculptors have created compelling monuments to important wartime turning points and history.

From armed services recruitment posters to advertisements for war bonds, wartime art and artists throughout the nation’s history have created works that rallied the home front and boosted troop morale.

The image of “Kilroy was Here” became synonymous with service, dedication and commitment of U.S. Armed Forces throughout WWII and the Korean War. Kilroy

seemed to appear first at every combat, training or occupation operation and was the last to leave. Messages like “Uncle Sam Wants You” or “Buy War Bonds” also appeared on some iconic art that many are familiar with. Posters during World War II were designed to instill a positive outlook, a sense of patriotism and confidence. They linked the war in trenches with the war at home and were used to encourage all Americans to The 2021 East Valley Veterans Parade will be in a traditional help with the war effort.parade format this year, celebrating art and artists and their WWII also saw the rise impact during wartime. Even simple “thank you” posters have a special meaning for those who served (Special to the Tribune) of “nose art” that united and encouraged members of the Air Force. Who hasn’t seen the iconic Memphis Belle on the Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress? Nose art is probably the first connection the leaps to mind. While frequently employing the image of women, nose art often consisted of ominous messages to enemies. In the midst of the difficulties of war, soldiers have found creative ways to express their feelings and deal with boredom, build comradery, identify/brag about home or unit and display patriotism.

Using whatever materials they found on hand, they created trench art and have turned ordinary T-wall concrete barriers into works of art and expression.

T-walls became the palette of the modern war artist. Coming into prominence during the conflicts in the Middle East, theseconcrete barriers are used for a variety of purposes. From small walls at traffic control points to giant retaining walls to protect against deadly threats like IEDs, T-walls are an everyday sight. Their stark gray appearance is an invitation to the murals that inevitably followed.

Trench art is a term used to describe objects made from the debris and by-products of modern warfare. Often trench art was made to pass the time in a “hurry up and wait” environment.

Even Kilroy, the ‘meme before memes’,

seePARADE page 2

Holocaust survivor is EV vet parade’s Grand Marshal

TRIBUNE NEWS STAFF

Capt. Alexander White, a concentration camp survivor who lost his entire family to the Nazis, is the 2021 East Valley Veterans Parade Grand Marshal. Born in 1923, in Krosno, Poland, near the Ukraine/Slovakian borders, White as a teenager lived through the liquidation of the Krosno Ghetto, then spent a year in the Luftwaffe Labor Camp and six months in the concentration camp at KrakowPlassow.

In October 1944, his name appeared on a list of workers assigned to German industrialist Oskar Schindler, who was relocating his factory listed as a glazier and painter. His specialty in glazing made him a rare commodity.

Upon arrival at Schindler’s factory, he was assigned to a small area of the factory to work as a glazier. White survived the last months of the Holocaust at Schindler’s camp in Bruennlitz, Sudetenland, and was liberated on the last day of the war in Europe, May 8, 1945, from the camp – as shown in the movie “Schindler’s List.”

After liberation, he made his way to Germany where, in 1950 as a refugee, he earned a medical degree from the University of Munich. Soon thereafter, he immigrated to the United States. In 1953, he married Inez Libby, a Chicagoan, and joined the U.S. Army. He received a commission as a first lieutenant

Capt. Alexander White, shown on left in his Army uniform, is the 2021 East Valley Veterans

Parade Grand Marshal. (Special to the Tribune)

is a form of graffiti art. He popped up in many places, in many variations, and still does today.

Whether from professional artists or amateurs, including school children, art continues to play an important role in our ability to express our deepest emotions during turbulent times.

As part of the East Valley Veterans Parade, art also provides a way to profoundly share the nation’s pride and gratitude for the service of the men and women of the armed services – veterans, active military and their families.

But perhaps a most meaningful connection of art and war is the therapeutic value of art to our warriors. It can help us deal with strong emotions, increase self-awareness and self-worth and decrease stress and anxiety. As veterans deal with post-service challenges, art can play a key role in helping the their healing.

So – art and war – how does this connect for you? Join the 2021 East Valley Veterans Day Parade and show everyone your art.

For more parade information, visit

www.evvp.org. ■

“Nose art” on airplanes often carried menacing warnings to the enemy. (Spe-

cial to the Tribune.)

The 2021 East Valley Veterans Parade will be in a traditional parade format this year, celebrating art and artists and their impact during wartime. Even simple “thank you” posters have a special meaning for those who served. (Special to the Tribune.)

Mesa Art League Veterans Program joins EV parade

TRIBUNE NEWS STAFF

Anew parade participant this year is the Mesa Art League, which was formed in 1936 to support and promote the arts in Mesa.

The organization features a veterans program that provides a safe, non-judgmental arts environment for veterans and their families. Classes and supplies are free and are designed to create a comfortable social space for the veterans to share stories.

“Art can provide a distraction from the daily grind, from the words in our head that say we are not good enough, and create a positive sense of self and accomplishments,” said Mesa Art League President Loralee Harris.

The positive impact of this unique art program is voiced by its participants.

“My military career was an integral part of my life,” said retired Army Lt. Barry Rosenblatt. “Taking art classes with the wonderful art teachers and helpers of the Mesa Art League, has given me meaning and the opportunity to connect and be with my fellow military veterans.

“Art has given me the inspiration I need to have a positive aspect in my life,” Rosenblatt continued. “The league has given me a supportive group to be a part of. Creating art with them over the past six years has given me a new and fun aspect to my life.”

Added John Brewer, a retired Navy veteran who served in the Vietnam War era: “The Veteran’s Art Program has been invaluable to veterans and their families. It is a wonderful opportunity to socialize and form lasting friendships. “There are many fine teachers that really put their hearts into it, broadening outlooks and teaching every aspect of art. I sorely miss the in-person classes that inspired me to become an artist. If not for this program I never would have known I was capable of being one.”

Information: MesaArtLeague.

com. ■