Nedetta Buchheit of Grand Marais has donated a print of her meaningful Cry, Cry, in the night for those US soldiers lost in the Iraq War to the silent auction for the America’s Vet Dogs program. Stop by the First Congregational Church to see the print and other items offered in the fundraiser for the program that provides service and therapy dogs for returning veterans.
For several months now, the First Congregational UCC along with American Legion Post 413 has been hosting and helping with fundraisers for the America’s Vet Dogs program. There has been a roving silent auction, featuring a number of items that relate to canines and other critters. All for the purpose of providing a professionally trained guide or service dog for a wounded American soldier. During Fisherman’s Picnic, the church and the legion are wrapping up the silent auction and raffle. And they are inviting you to consider one of the most recently donated items, an original print by Nedetta Buchheit of Grand Marais.
The print is of an original piece titled Cry, Cry, in the night for those US soldiers lost in the Iraq War. It is a beautiful but heart-wrenching work on watercolor canvas with watercolor and acrylics. Buchheit, who has never shied away from difficult subjects, started Cry, Cry in 2004 when casualties began to mount in the Iraq War.
She explains, “The mournful cry of the loon rising up from the lake cries for all those lost.”
The loon is covered in stars—cutouts from rice paper, covering the crying bird’s back. Each star represents a fallen soldier. “In August 2010, the casualty count was 4,420,” said Buchheit sadly.
She is offering the original painting for sale. The price? One dollar per star. Buchheit knows that it is unlikely that anyone can pay that much for the painting, but she is hopeful because she plans to donate the money from the sale of the painting to an organization that helps returning veterans.
Buchheit’s GicLee prints on heavy weight archival paper are also available for $200, the proceeds of which will also be donated to benefit veterans.
Buchheit recently decided to support the America’s Vet Dogs project by donating a print of Cry, Cry to the First Congregational Church for its silent auction. “I want to keep this ‘Pets for Vets’ program moving,” she explained. “I think it is just a wonderful thing for our wounded veterans.”
The print will be on display at the First Congregational Church now through the closing of the silent auction at the end of the traditional Fisherman’s Picnic Shrimp Boil on Friday, August 3 from 5 to 7 p.m.
America’s Vet Dogs professionally breeds, raises, and trains dogs
to provide assistance as guide dogs, service dogs (help with
other disabilities other than visual impairment), combat stress
relief dogs and military therapy dogs (used in physical therapy
at military or VA hospitals). Each trained dog is matched with a
veteran who spends time at a training facility where he or she
begins a relationship with the dog and receives training in caring
for and handling his or her new assistant.
Cost for the breeding/training of one dog and the training of one
veteran is about $20,000. With the help of the community, the
church and the legion together hope to raise as much as possible
toward the program for one Vet Dog.
Individuals or organizations who are interested in being a part
of this project can contact EvaLyn Carlson at (218) 370-7842 or
Legion Post 413 Commander Don Wilson at (218) 387-1217.
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