|
ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. - A patriot's palette comprises more colors
than red, white and blue. A vast array of tones is a testament to
true devotion to country. A Coast Guardsman in South Jersey shows
his true colors and patriotism through the gift of art, a talent he
considers a hobby.
Petty Officer 1st Class Justin Lacy, a
boatswain's mate at Coast Guard Station Atlantic City, New Jersey,
has created a work of art that will adorn the boat station's walls
for generations to come. He calls it chart art.
“It's a
pretty traditional practice amongst units to have an artist do chart
art,” said Lacy. “It's typically done by a painter. They'll take the
area of responsibility chart for a unit and use it as a canvas,
painting the unit, assets or any kind of prominent landmark that
would represent that particular unit.”
Lacy's chart art shows
the station, boats, crew members and the Atlantic City skyline,
including the Absecon Lighthouse — the tallest lighthouse in New
Jersey. He even included the unit's old mascot, Nucky the
Newfoundland, sitting by the front door.
|
July 1, 2015 - Petty Officer 1st Class Justin Lacy stands in front of the framed chart art
that he created for Coast Guard Station Atlantic City, NJ. The chart art
is displayed on the station's quarterdeck indefinitely. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by Chief Petty Officer Nick Ameen)
Petty Officer 1st Class Justin Lacy created the patriotic chart art
for Coast Guard Station Atlantic City, NJ. The chart art is
displayed on the station's quarterdeck indefinitely. (U.S. Coast
Guard photo by Chief Petty Officer Nick Ameen, June 23, 2015)
|
“It was a good opportunity for me to take advantage of
because I hadn't done any of my art for years, so it was
nice to dust off the cobwebs a little bit,” said Lacy. “The
chart art has been a long process for me ... just getting
back into it. But I'm thrilled to do something like this.
It's my way of giving back. The idea that it'll hang on the
walls indefinitely makes me feel good. I'm leaving my mark
on the unit.”
The chart art isn't the first time Lacy
has blended his hobby with his profession. He drew a
portrait of his late brother in-law, Fireman Michael Bovill,
who was killed July 16, 2010, in an off-duty motorcycle
accident. Bovill, who served at Coast Guard Station Eaton's
Neck, New York, was an organ donor who went on to
posthumously save five lives. He was 23 years old.
“As I worked on the
drawing and it started to come alive, so to speak, it was
more and more exciting for me,” said Lacy. “I was thrilled
to present it to his family6 and see how much joy it brought
them. I did it because I wanted to do something nice for the
family and give them something to honor Michael's service.”
Lacy said the chart art is his way of giving back to his
unit, but his Coast Guard service is his patriotic way of
giving back to his country.
“I think a patriot is
somebody who recognizes the sacrifices that have been made
for their freedom,” said Lacy. “I consider myself a patriot
in the sense that my grandfather served in World War II as
an Air Force fighter pilot, my brother's in the Navy and
here I am in the United States Coast Guard. Serving our
country to the capacity of the armed forces is my way of
giving back to the country that's given so much to so many
people and to myself.
“I love being an American,”
said Lacy. “I was blessed to have been born in this
beautiful country. Being grateful and never forgetting
sacrifices that have been made for us to live the way we do
— that's patriotism to me.”
Lt. Cmdr. C.K. Moore, the
former commanding officer of Station Atlantic City, said the
final product far exceeded his expectations.
“I know
Lacy's talent and I know his ability,” said Moore. “This
chart art is the best work I've seen him do, and I've seen
him do some great stuff. What he had to do to put this all
together is pretty interesting, so I'm really proud of how
this turned out.”
Lacy's artwork was digitally
scanned, so for years to come departing members of the unit
will receive a print of the chart art to remember their
service at Station Atlantic City.
By U.S. Coast Guard Chief Petty Officer Nick Ameen
Provided
through DVIDS
Copyright 2015
Comment on this article |
