THE ART OF IMMORTALIZING HEROES
BY JOE PISANO
This War Memorial was inspired by 94 Veterans returning from a trip to Washington DC to visit the War Memorials in their respective honor. Upon receiving these Veterans in the San Diego airport along with hundreds of San Diegans, Joe Pisano felt moved to create a Memorial for those Veterans that couldn’t make a trip to DC. Once he learned that many San Diegans had not visited the War Memorials in DC, he decided that his War Memorial would be for everyone, honoring all those that served in the Armed Forces.
After drafting an image for each major war in the twenty-first century: World War I and II, Korean War, Vietnam Conflict, and The Global War on Terrorism, Pisano included two more panels depicting Unsung Heroes and Funeral Honors in reference to the Arlington National Cemetery. In addition, Pisano’s vision would be to create a corrugated wall that would replicate both the Vietnam Memorial Wall and the Freedom Wall.
The art piece is created with 100,000+ drywall screws, 1000+ dog tags, and 3800 two-inch wooden stars, by approximately 2000 participants; veterans, active duty, reservists, nearly 1500 children/ special needs adults, and the community.
The Art of Immortalizing Heroes is credited for saving the lives of our veterans struggling with PTSD and suicidal ideation.
Joe Pisano is a San Diego-based artist who enlisted in the U.S. Navy Reserves in September
1999. He has served over 22 years supporting The Global War on Terrorism. Joe became
interested in art at a very young age and has been drawing his entire life. Recently, he began
creating 3-dimensional industrial art utilizing drywall screws.
ADDRESS:
2640 Historic Decatur Rd San Diego, CA 92106
HOURS:
Monday - Saturday 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Sunday 11 a.m. - 5 p.m.