09/11/2026
One of our favorite artists was able to express, through his work, what many of us felt on this day 25 years ago. Look at the image, read what George was thinking as he created this piece, and most of all REMEMBER. Remember where you were, remember who WE were as a Nation and NEVER EVER FORGET! My (Dave) story of what happened that day, and the days that followed is one perhaps I’ll share later in the day. In the meantime God Bless America, her First Responders, Military, and all of you.
Semper Fidelis!
We remember.
Twenty-five years ago tonight, George Rodrigue sat in shock like so many Americans, then turned to his easel. By 5 a.m. on September 12, 2001, he had finished God Bless America—the Blue Dog drained of its color, yellow eyes turned red with grief, the flag behind it.
Prints of that painting raised $500,000 for the American Red Cross. It was how George knew to help.
In his own words, written that morning:
“On the night of September 11, 2001, like Americans everywhere, I sat in shock over the events of the day. As I’ve done many times in my life, I turned to my easel and paints for comfort.
At 5 a.m. the next morning I stared with my wife at the painting I’d just finished. As we looked from each other to the canvas, we knew that I’d made a powerful and accurate statement of our feelings. We discussed our desperation — our wanting to help in some way.
I realized as we spoke that in donating the sales from a print of this painting to the relief effort, others might be comforted as they dealt with their own grief and desire to help. Created in the depths of my personal sadness, the painting reflects the feelings of many, many people.
I first thought to paint the dog black, as if in mourning. Instead I painted it without color at all, the blue joy drained by shock and grief. (Some people have commented that the lack of color reminds them of the television footage of debris-covered people running on the streets of New York City.) For many years the dog has had yellow, happy eyes. On this day, however, the eyes are red, indicating a heavy heart.
I am proud to be from the United States of America. It is our spirit, strong in the symbol of our flag, which will mend our broken hearts and allow us to use these events to strengthen our courage and compassion.”
— George Rodrigue, September 12, 2001
We honor the nearly 3,000 lives lost, the first responders, and all who still carry that day. May remembrance meet us with the courage and compassion George hoped this painting would help restore.
