IN RESENT YEARS, MANY BOOKS HAVE BEEN WRITTEN ABOUT THE EVENTS THAT TRANSPIRED ON SEPTEMBER 11, BUT NEVER HAS A WORK OF ART BEEN CREATED TO TELL THE STORY. THE ABILITY TO PORTRAY, IN A PAINTING, THE MOOD AND FEELINGS OF THE NATION AT THIS TIME, WAS ALMOST DAUNTING. AS A CITIZEN I WAS SHAKEN TO THE CORE AND AS AN ARTIST I WAS COMPELLED TO PORTRAY THE RESILIENCE AND STRENGTH OF OUR GREAT NATION. THE RESULT: IS AN AMERICAN FLAG THAT HAS BEEN THROUGH WAR AND SHOWS A LOT OF WEAR BUT STILL IS FLYING HIGH. THIS PAINTING IS MORE THAN ANY ONE INDIVIDUAL AND BELONGS TO THE PEOPLE. MY WISH FOR THE "SUFFERING FLAG' IS THAT IT WILL CONTINUE TO HANG IN THE CONGRESSIONAL OFFICES FOR THE 5TH DISTRICT OF THE COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA UNTIL A PERMANENT PLACE IS FOUND.