Contrary to many inaccurate tales and Internet legends, this is the
real story behind the image that has inspired thousands of people.
THIS IS THE ONLY SITE TO PURCHASE A FINE QUALITY,
COPYRIGHTED AND ARTIST APPROVED PRINT OF THIS IMAGE.
On June 13th 2003, Madison, Ohio, High School Art teacher Jeff Grier presented his painting
entitled "I'll Take it From Here." to the Operation's Command Center at the Pentagon in
Washington D.C., where it is currently on display.
The image that is depicted in the painting has had a very unique and interesting
history.
It all began in the horrifying wake of September 11th, 2001. Madison High School
math teacher Tom Hernan was shocked and inspired. He had the idea of creating
an image that could be used for raising funds for the victims and their families. He
went to art teacher Jeff Grier with his idea . Grier was also inspired with the
terrible events with the feeling of "What can I do to help?".
When Hernan approached Grier he explained what he had in mind. "A firefighter
handing the flag to a solider and the statement declaring " I'll Take It From Here".
Grier got to work on some ideas immediately. "The biggest challenge was trying
to fit all of the images into one scene. I thought that the best way to present the
image was to show each event in separate windows." says Grier. " I took Tom's
idea and developed it into a specific composition of events with a window or frame
for each."
The rescue worker is strong yet overwhelmed by the rubble where he is
consumed . As a first response worker he must now focus on the rescue of the
innocent. He must now pass the flag, which remains an intact and bold
representation of our country's unity and strength, onto the solider who now must
deal with the response of our country being attacked.
By placing the solider on the left side it creates a feeling of immediate action. He
is standing and is now carrying our country's honor into the foreign Afghanistan
Desert to face the battles that must now take place.
The backdrop of this scene of courage is the great landscape of New York City as
it appeared in the morning of that clear and beautiful blue sky morning of
September 11th, 2001.
Hernan's first idea was to sell t-shirts of the image in order to raise money for
the families of the terrorist attack. He organized a drive that was based out of the
Madison High School athletic department. There was no wide spread advertising
except for local word of mouth. However, while department secretary Brenda
Ersek was filling out orders as well as doing her many other duties, the image
began taking on a life of it's own over the Internet.
At the first stage of the t-shirt drive, a very "rough" preliminary sketch that
Grier had drawn to show the design that he had in mind to others had found it's
way online. Guidance counselor Larry Baptie (Ret.) sent the image to the School
Board office via e-mail.
From that one initial e-mail, the image began popping up on e-mails and patriotic
web sites through out the country.
It very soon became an image of great inspiration for thousands of military
personnel and rescue workers. Grier created a final sharper and cleaner version
of the image for the fund raiser.
$14,000.00 was raised from the t-shirt drive and given to an organization that
supports the families of special forces personnel serving in the middle east.
However, in the past five years, Grier has given select permission to reproduce
the image for many military fund raisers, veteran and community groups.
The image and original artwork is copyright protected and owned by Jeff Grier.
When asked, Grier has only given direct permission to organizations to reproduce
the image as long that all proceeds benefit military personnel, veterans or rescue
workers and their families. Any use without Grier's direct written permission has
been unlawful.
Unfortunately the image has also been used in many unauthorized ways.
Grier has not profited a cent when giving permission to use the image for other
fund raisers. The purpose of this site is to inform others of the true story behind
the design and to give people an opportunity to own an authentic and artist
approved print of the design.
Besides being on display at the Pentagon, there is also a copy displayed in the
National Security Agency and the image is also a part of the National Achieves,
both located in Washington D.C.
The story behind the image peaked in 2003 when the then Director of
Operations at the Pentagon, Lt. Col. Steven Geise (Ret.), invited Grier and Hernan
to Washington D.C. To honor them for their efforts and inspiration that the image
had given the military personnel.
It was at that time that Grier created a full color oil painting (pictured below) of
the original black and white design (pictured at the top of this page) to return the
honor and presented it to Gen. Robert Chestnut (Ret.), Lt. Col. Geise and his staff.
Grier explains what the image has become over
the last five years.
"This picture is a total dedication to the men and women who protect us.
The greatest honor that we as a nation must uphold, with all political views
aside, is to acknowledge and give the utmost respect to the individuals
who put their own safety aside for ours. We are a country of incredible and
brave individuals and this image is in honor of them."
For the first time, prints of this inspiring and
legendary image are available to the general
public.
on the "BUY NOW" button, simply click on the "Do not have a Paypal
Account" area below the password information. All payments are secured.
Signed by Jeff Grier $20.00 + shipping.
