Contact:
Robin MacBlane

Bathing Nodine Art

Phone: 352-873-0007

Email Address: robnonair@aol.com
www.BathingNodineArt.com

American Victory Oil Painting To Send Vets To D.C.

Ocala, FL, Sept. 23, 2011 – A Florida based artist is donating 100% of the highest bid on an Ebay auction of his original oil painting of the SS American Victory ship to Honor Flight, an organization that flies World War II Veterans to visit the WWII Memorial built in their honor in Washington, D.C. 

Artist Larry Whitler, 56, of Ocala, Florida, visited the World War II ship, American Victory, docked in Tampa Bay, with the purpose of painting a portrait of the ship, described as one of only 4 fully-operational WWII ships in the country, as a way to help raise funds for the Honor Flight organization. 

Whitler, along with his partner Robin MacBlane, 57, have been painting landscapes at various locations in Florida.  When they heard that the mission of the Honor Flight organization was to send World War II Veterans to see the WWII Memorial in Washington D.C. the duo decided to use their talents to raise awareness and raise money for the organization.

“The American and Allied Forces Veterans of the Second World War literally saved us all from an absolute dictatorship and certain annihilation and genocide of specific peoples,” Whitler said.  “After the war they returned to civilian life and it wasn’t until just six short years ago that this greatest generation had a national memorial built in their honor.  By then most of those Veterans had passed away and today we continue to lose a thousand or so more each day due to old age.  Robin and I felt that the least we could do was help Honor Flight bring as many Vets as possible to see this magnificent memorial as a way to let them know our gratitude for their service so many years ago.”

Whitler says he chose to paint a portrait of the SS American Victory because of its history and because it is a Florida based ship.  The Ebay auction ends on October 1, 2011.

Here is the URL for the Ebay auction: http://www.ebay.com/itm/American-Victory-Original-Oil-Painting-/200655613127?pt=Art_Paintings&hash=item2eb801acc7

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The Honor Flight Organization is dedicated to bringing World War II Veterans to visit the World War II Memorial in Washington, D.C.  The organization provides a complete travel package to Veterans free of charge.

Whitler, known to fans as "The Giant" in the folk and radio duo Robin And The Giant, says he wanted to do something to thank those Veterans for the amazing contribution they made during the second world war to all humanity. 

The Ebay listing will expire on October 1st.  Click here to see the listing on Ebay.