As the artist Bob Byerley followed the tragic
events of September 11, 2001 he was moved and inspired by the outpouring
of compassion and the patriotic mind-set of the American people. This
image is Byerley’s tribute, not only to the valiant heroic acts by the
fire, rescue and police departments, but also to the American children who
have shown us a rebirth of the true American spirit.
The boy who posed for this painting, Graham,
loved seeing the original painting but was overheard to say, as he was
leaving the studio, "But, I want to take my picture home!"