Item SKU: 26152
Hero
Hero, we honor thee, Keeping safe your memory
I carved this memorial in dedication to those who have suffered a loss in the service of others. I want to quietly honor the courage of the hero who has died, and the everyday courage of the hero who is left. This patriot's grief is to be honored as well. There are other figures in the marketplace about patriotism and honor, but I wanted to create one that acknowledged personal loss. Hero is a melancholy piece. I see it as very much a memorial. On a very personal level, keeping safe your memory is an intimate promise made to one who is gone ... I hope the gesture of her embrace reflects some of these ideas.
Your Stories 
I came from military and I married military. I am absolutely in love with this and so happy I finally have it. Nobody will ever know what it's like until you experience this life for yourself. I support my troops :)
Submitted by AubryAna in NC, February 2012
In June of 2005 I lost my father after a battle with lung cancer; I was 15. The following year my mom gave me this figure to add to my collection, and I think I cried more that day than the day I lost my father. It immediately brought me back to the day of his memorial service, standing outside the church clutching his service flag and sobbing into it, hoping that maybe I could find solace in the folds of his flag. I thought the world was going to fall out from under me when he passed on, but now I'm 22 and have just graduated from college. I live each day to make my parents proud and still think of my father as my 'hero.'
Thank you for creating this piece, it's one of my most cherished possessions.
Submitted by Caite in Connecticut, December 2011
My husband was killed in action in Afghanistan in 2009. He was active career infantryman in the US Army. I received the "Hero" piece from a gold star mom who was at my husband's funeral. She didn't hand it to me there, but it was waiting for me at the hotel. It is exactly how I held my husband's flag that day, so this is a very special piece for me. I display it with pride next to my husband's medals.
Submitted by Patty in CA, December 2011
My brother, an Iowa State Patrol trooper, was killed in the line of duty on 9/20/11. A friend bought me this figurine in remembrance of him. It means a lot to our family. I have it standing next to his Iowa State Patrol picture. It reminds me of his ultimate sacrifice and the fact that he died a hero in the line of duty. Thank you for designing this piece.
Submitted by Sharon in Iowa, December 2011
I have collected willowtree figurines for a few years now. After my beloved dad passed away suddenly in Oct this year, my best friend gave me HERO, which brought me to tears. My dad was a soldier in his younger years, and this piece means a lot to me.
I have purchased REMEMBER for my step mum for Christmas. I am sure she will be touched by this as much as i was.
Submitted by andrea in australia, November 2011
I bought "Hero" to honor my son Dan's service. He deployed to Afghanistan last year, came home in May of this year. Now he's off to Korea. I truly think is my favorite piece in my entire collection :)
Submitted by Laura in NY, November 2011
My daughter is a specialist in the Army Reserves. She believes she will be deployed next year for 13 months. I saw your Hero figurine in the gift shop of the Old Mission in Santa Barbara, California while on vacation. I immediatley bought Hero for my daughter, Chelsea Anne. She will always be a "Hero" to her family. Thank you for your absolutely beautiful creation.
Submitted by MaryL in California, September 2011
My son Daniel, a NYC firefighter, was killed in the line of duty on June 21, 2007. I received the Hero angel, and what a tribute it was to him and the life he chose to live.
Since then, I have received and collected many others (and given others as gifts too) but the most special one to me is the Hero. Thank you for your beautiful creation.
Submitted by Christina in NY, August 2011
I lost my son in Oct 2010. My family and I went to a Memorial Service in Germany, where my family was presented with Hero by another family that also lost their son, who was in my son's unit. I never knew she existed. She is very beautiful, and I will never forget what my son and others stood for. Please never discontinue this item. She means a lot to a lot of people. Thank you for making her.
Submitted by Tammy in Mi, August 2011
I lost my sweet husband in January 2011. My children and I took his remains to Ft. Rosecrans in San Diego, CA shortly after. Steve was a retired Naval officer who loved the Navy, this country, and the sea. I bought this figure for myself on the Naval Base at North Island where we stayed. I was drawn to this piece because it represented the grief I was feeling. She is being brave and strong and her military loved one would be proud of her.
Submitted by Rebecca in ut, June 2011
My husband is active duty Army and there are many times I feel the loneliness of not having him with our family. My mother-in-law gave me this figurine for my collection. Every time I look at it, my heart warms, because I know he is serving his country with pride.
Submitted by Sandra in TX, June 2011
I have three sons serving in the armed forces. They are all my heroes. Last week We said good bye to our middle son after he was killed in a motorcycle accident. I'd seen "hero" a long time ago and admired her but was secretly thankful I had no reason to own her. She now stands in a place of honor in my living room--a reminder that though he is gone, he will always be my hero.
Submitted by Heidi in Michigan, May 2011
I purchased "The Hero" In Honor of My Wonderful Husband and Soulmate Rusty who passed away suddenly Sept. 22, 2009. He was a Vietnam veteran. He was a great husband, father and grandfather; and always put others first. He was the type of person who would give his shirt right off his back if someone needed it. I proudly display this figurine on my fireplace beside his Military Flag that was presented to me along with his medals and photos.Thank you for serving our country and for being my hero.( R.I.P.) I love and miss you.
Submitted by Melinda in wv, February 2011
My name is Alecia.
I lost my husband, Dylan, on October 16th, 2010, while he was serving his first deployment in Iraq.Our daughter, Avery, and I received this figurine for a gift this past Christmas Eve. I thought it had been from my aunt, but after I opened it, I looked at her and she was crying. She said she had just received it in the mail that morning, there was no return address, and we didn't know who sent it. We still don't know and probably never will.
Receiving it brought tears to my eyes. It really was the most beautiful gift that my daughter and I could receive at this time.
Submitted by Alecia in Minnesota, January 2011
My son, my only child, was KIA in Iraq on 12/16/2004. This statue is heartfelt and says it all. It was given as a gift as was another statue of mother and son. They are on display together with the flag, his medals, picture and scrap book. Franklin is truly a hero.
Submitted by Elizabeth in Texas, January 2011
My name is Miriam. My son, fallen Hollywood Florida Police Officer Alex, was killed in the line of duty in a tragic accident two years ago on 11/22/08. I just finished writing a poem about a mother and the flag and the meaning for me. I also wanted to honor mothers that have had a loss like mine. I took pictures holding the flag just like your figure. I did not know your figure existed. My special friend Lisa saw it and immediately thought of me. She gave it to me today. When I opened it and saw it I was in AWE! Thank you for carving this incredible piece: the meaning and feeling is indescribable!Thank You to you and Lisa. This is very touching and special for me!
Submitted by Miriam in Fl, November 2010
I love your figurines. I own "The Hero" because of a loved one who has passed away and she stands next to his military flag. I gave "Close to Me" to my daughter while she was away at school. I gave "Generations" to my grandson's mother at her baby shower. I gave "Father and Daughter" to my husband when I first saw your beautiful figurines, and "Promise" was my anniversary gift to him a year ago on Valentines. Right now I am looking for Mother and son for both of my sons. One son is now a father and the other is going through some rough times. So I thought I needed different emotions, but of course your figurine says it all. I do wish though, that there was one showing a mom embracing her son like she never ever wanted to let him go. I think my son needs that right now and he is in another state, so symbolically your statue could say that for me.
Thank you for making such beautiful and meaningful art! Sometimes I find myself standing there in tears or smiling or just...standing in awe. RL
Submitted by Robin in Utah, September 2010
I am Active Duty Air Force and have given this piece at a retirement ceremony to the retiring member's spouse. I know why you made this piece but I look at our spouses, mothers, fathers, sisters and brothers as unsung heros. Without their support and dedication we would not be able to do our jobs. I see them as the safe keepers of our family and home while we are gone. Thank you so much for keeping our military in your thoughts. -Jamie
Submitted by Jamie in Virginia, May 2010
I am an Active Duty Army Spouse and my husband is currently serving his fourth deployment to Afghanistan. We have known a few loses. I give this to the family members of those who have given the ultimate price for our freedom. I love this figurine because I feel it lets the family members know their loved one did not die in vain, and that their service and sacrifice is appreciated and will never be forgotten. Thank you to our military members and their loyal and greatest supporters, their families!
Lindsey
Submitted by Lindsey in North Carolina, March 2010
My father in law died on July 30th 2009. For four years he served our country in the Navy. He was a good father, husband and grandfather. Unfortunately his life was cut short due to a disease that took his life without us being able to say goodbye. His wife, Marie, was good and sweet to him. We are buying her this figurine in order for her to keep his memory alive as the great father and husband that he was and always will be. Thank you for keeping the spirit of the soldiers, airmen and all military people in our hearts and minds all of the time! Rest in peace Fred. We all love you dearly.
Submitted by Nicole in Delaware, February 2010
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