Legionnaire's traveling memorial ignites patriotism

Through a pictorial timeline, Legionnaire Ron Smith is documenting and preserving the sacrifices America’s men and women have made for more than 240 years to protect our nation’s freedom.

“The Spirit of America’s Story – The Wall” is a 70-foot traveling exhibit that commemorates through images a timeline of the Revolutionary War to the Persian Gulf War. The three final panels, which are in the process of completion, will feature images of 9-11 to the War on Terrorism. Once completed, the memorial will be comprised of 10 connected pieces of artwork that stand 92 inches tall and 100-feet long.

Native Americans, military men and women, law enforcement and fire fighters are scattered throughout the images to “keep America’s sense of patriotism ignited and a continued respect for those who wear uniforms and bring us together as a country,” said Smith, a member of American Legion Post 83 in Sandusky, Ohio. “This memorial is a lesson on freedom. We wish to educate and inspire our future generations to gain a deeper understanding and appreciation of America’s sacrifices for freedom – on the battlefield and on the home front.”

Smith created the wall with Patricia Sexton, whose husband, Army Sgt. David Sexton, lost his life while serving in the Vietnam War and whose remains have yet to come home. The two wanted to create a traveling exhibit that, unlike other memorials, commemorated through images and not just words a visual timeline of different periods in America’s history that captured the struggle for freedom and stressed to future generations the importance of protecting “the liberty and freedom we as Americans enjoy today,” Smith said.

Smith and Sexton show the memorial to audiences in Ohio and beyond. The custom-built panels are mobile and can accommodate any size indoor or outdoor space. During the presentation of their memorial, Smith and Sexton show a video that highlights the inspiration for the memorial, and they talk about each image captured in the panels. For more information on The Spirit of America’s Story – The Wall, or to display the traveling memorial at a Legion post, visit www.spiritofamericasstory.com.