The Iraq Names Project Southeast

2007-12-08T12:50:00.001-08:00

Here we are, back at it!
Today, I picked up some chalk, and printed out a list and we're on our way downtown.

If you want to join us... any help is awesome! We'll get there somewhere around four, today, and probably leave around six!

We'll also be picking up where we leave off today, tomorrow.

If you want to join us at Centennial Park, December 9 @ 4:00!

[How great is it that it's not raining a whole lot, anymore? Our chalk will stick around for a while, and people will be able to see the trail as we go!]
Hope to see you there.

2007-12-08T12:50:00.000-08:00

2007-09-20T17:48:00.000-07:00

It looks like I'm into the swing of things, here, with school, and we'll be back at the chalk this weekend!

Yesterday afternoon I was recognized for a Do the Right Thing Award, which was pretty nice.

I hope I can see you guys tonight,
at 6:00
in Centennial Park.

We're going to be starting along Edwards Dr. again, and then keep going tomorrow, Saturday,

10:00 am

Same place..

See you there!

2007-08-18T13:37:00.000-07:00

Today I went to my school to get some things worked out with my schedule, and when I went to my counselor's office, I had some mail from Florida State Senator Bert Saunders.

This is the letter he wrote..

I will keep you posted of infor for chalking tomorrow.

But, as for the week, as far as I can tell, we won't be chalking. School is just starting back up and I want to make sure I've got everything taken care of for the first week.

Thanks for the continuing support!

ChalkMan

2007-08-10T08:15:00.000-07:00

We're not going to be out there on Friday, but Saturday and Sunday you should see us down there. We don't know what time, yet, but we'll put it up here!

Thanks for all of the help this week..

2007-08-09T09:44:00.000-07:00

Thanks to Christie, Mom, Annie, Keith, Harriet, and Mike!

Tonight: @ Centennial Park from 6:00pm-7:00

See you there.

2007-08-07T19:10:00.000-07:00

Photo Credit Eugenia Nicolini

Today we started again.

Thanks to all of you who have helped, written letters, or are going to help!
And thanks to Mike Flanders for helping me out, and helping get the project back on it's feet!

I'll stop posting with who's saying what about the project for now.. We succeeded, and I'll give it a rest with showing all of the publicity.

It's all as positive as it can be from now on!

Here are some pictures from today!
enjoy!

2007-08-07T06:08:00.001-07:00

On the front page of the News-Press again!

It's not as huge as the last time, but I made it on the front again!

This time they're talking about how we WON with city council and got the job done.

Don't forget..

TONIGHT
@ 6:00
@ Centennial Park!

I'll see everyone there!

Air America Radio Miami

2007-08-06T18:47:00.000-07:00

Listen to AM 940 this morning, at 8:00, they're going to have me on!

Access Granted!

2007-08-06T12:44:00.001-07:00

The wait is over.

Our meeting with Councilman Mike Flanders, and City Engineer Saeed Kazemi went so well!

We have an arial map of downtown, with Xs on the patches of sidewalk we can't use.

Let me explain..
Due to construction in the city, and contracting stuff going on, the City of Ft. Myers doesn't technically own all of the sidewalks in the city. Yet.

So, they gave me a map of the parts that they do own, and told me to go ahead. They are in full support of the project and appreciate what I am doing.

We will be in contact so that I can find out when the city will finally own some of the roads and sidewalks, which they will grant permission for us to continue.

As for now, we will start again in Centennial Park, and continue with where we left off. We will use as much of Centennial Park's sidewalks as we can, and then most likely continue on down Edwards Drive.

The City, Mike Flanders, and Saeed Kazemi are going to write me an 'official' letter that I will carry, that permits me to continue with the project on the sidewalks owned by the city.. They are also calling the Police Department to tell them that I have been given permission to continue on city owned property.

The fact of the matter is, I was mostly on 'privately owned' property. The city stopped me, because, although they like the project, they can't let me continue.

So, it is no longer a matter of the city not liking the project, or not allowing it to continue or thinking it graffiti, it is an issue of continuing to 'paint' on the city's/publicly owned 'canvas.'

Thank you all for your support, and I hope to see all of you out there tomorrow night, at 6:00 in Centennial Park.

Aug. 7, Centennial Park,
@ 6:00

If you could all come out, that would be great.
Show your support, and help chalk some names in!

See you there!

Willie Filkowski
Chalkman

2007-08-06T08:54:00.000-07:00

Here are some words from my friend, Nancy, who has been helping this project out a lot.
I asked her to write something for me to post, since I figure people might get annoyed, or bored with listening to me blab all of the time..

As soon as I heard about the Iraq Names Project, I knew that I should help.
I was so glad that Willie adopted the idea that the people in Portland had.
Willie's writing of the names was beautiful, and it was enjoyable to color them
in, even it was usually hot and even if sometimes we did it in the rain under-
neath the awnings.

The first really great thing that happened while I was there took place at the
Morgan House. Someone came out and asked what we were doing. I was
afraid that she would go back in and get her boss, but instead she praised
us to her customers, and when they came out of the restaurants they would
thank us.

Another day a woman asked what we were doing, I told her that we were
memorializing the American soldiers who had died in Iraq. She nodded and
walked on, but her husband stopped, bent down and hugged me. Later I found
out that he had explained to Willie that he had left six platoon members behind
in Vietnam. He said, "Nobody ever did anything like this for us; you don't know
what it means to me.

One man put a twenty-doller bill in each of our chalk boxes. Bonita was there
too, so that was $60 he took out of his wallet to encourage us. I gave Willie mine,
and he ended up giving it to a homeless person.

The next night, we were almost arrested. We have a meeting with Councilman
Flanders today to see whether we will actually need to go tot the Council meeting
tonight to request the petition. We need to know the details of the agreement we
will have with the city. Nancy Hendrix, Ph.D.

Thanks, Nancy.

We'll be sure to keep everyone posted and let you all know how the meeting with Councilman Flanders goes, and if we need to attend the City Council meeting.

MacGregor's Boulevard

2007-08-05T15:05:00.000-07:00

Did anyone catch today's Editorial Cartoon in the News-Press?

Shot at 2007-08-05

2007-08-04T08:39:00.001-07:00

The Instant Editorial in the News-Press has done a re-cap of the message board online, here.

Maybe you can leave a comment, or check out what's up!

Miami Herald

2007-08-04T08:28:00.000-07:00

The Miami Herald also picked up the story here.

It's the same story as most of them, but, it's very cool that people from all over are taking an interest and showing the story to everyone.

I apologize that the blog has been looking boring, recently, and that we don't have any pictures. It's mostly been text, and no fun with pictures.. since we have nothing to take pictures of.

However, I realized, that some of the chalking that we did last week during the rain, under the awnings, is still there! So, week

2007-08-03T20:22:00.000-07:00

Some coverage in the Charlotte Sun, newspaper.
Maybe take a look here?

Victory, part 2.

2007-08-03T20:16:00.001-07:00

It looks like there are just a few forms we have to fill out in order to get our permit, as soon as tuesday, says my friend over at ABC-7.

If you didn't catch the story, read it here.

Maybe they'll post a video sometime tonight of the story that ran, which was really great.

Stephanie Tsoflias:

We confronted Al Abdo, acting city manager, on Friday night about the project. He said Filkowski now has the green light to start chalking again.

"We certainly support what he's doing and encourage him to continue," said Abdo. "We admire and commend him. He's a model for all young people."

Filkowski heard the news for the first time on Friday night.

"That's good news, really good news," said Filkowski.

But Filkowski says he still plans to meet with the Fort Myers City Council on Monday.

City leaders say all the teen needs to do is fill out some paperwork and he can start chalking again. That could be as early as Tuesday.

This is great..
I'll look for the phone numbers I need, and get on it tomorrow morning, if the appropriate offices are open!
Thanks, everyone,
I'll let you know as soon as I have any more information!

Willie

2007-08-03T18:32:00.001-07:00

On the WINK TV website, they have a video of the news story they did on me, and the story that have that was written by the AP.

Yes, the AP, the national news wire.

Check it out here.

Victory.

2007-08-03T18:21:00.001-07:00

I just got home from our interview with ABC-7, who is going to run the story tonight at 11:00.

Once the light was on, I was miked, and the camera was rolling, they told me we have a victory on our hands.

The interim City Manager said to Stephanie that he's been trying to get a hold of me all week, and that he has the power to grant a permit, and that he will do so!

This is so great!

I think it's a victory, and I can't wait to have it physically in my hands.. then I know it's real, and that our 'hiatus' is over.

Is the permit even a physical document?

Alright, watch the news.. and we'll see what's up.

Every reporter I talk to knows more than I do.. jeeze!
Thanks for all of the coverage, though.

News-Press Instant Editorial and Forum

2007-08-02T21:08:00.000-07:00

Something you might want to check out..

The News-Press sometime during the day today, did an 'Instant Editorial' that they posted online, and left open for discussion in the forums.

You read the editorial, and see the forum (or even leave a comment of your own) here.

And you can check out another forum someone started about the project here.

It's pretty simple to register in order to put your two cents in.

Thanks, everyone,
Willie.

2007-08-02T18:51:00.000-07:00

2007-08-02T17:40:00.000-07:00

Just in case anyone missed it last night when NBC 2 covered our story at 11.

I wonder though who their source was, or who they contacted for their information, because, there are quite a few inaccuracies that I didn't catch while I was watching, but since the transcript is online, there's more that I notice.

1. It's not a war protest, and I don't call it a war protest, and they have nothing to quote me from.
2. The website's the Iraq Names Project Southeast.
3. The names I'm writing are the last names of soldiers killed in Iraq, in chronological order. Yes, they are vets, but, I haven't written the names of all vets.

'SOLDIER CHALK GRAFFITI-COPY'

NEW AT 11----

A 15 YEAR OLD CALLS IT A WAR PROTEST.

FORT MYERS POLICE SAY IT'S ILLEGAL.

WILLIE FILKOWSKI RUNS A WEBSITE CALLED "THE IRAQ NAME PROJECT".

HE'S BEEN WRITING THE NAMES OF EVERY IRAQ WAR VET ON DOWNTOWN SIDES WALKS IN CHALK.

NOT ANYMORE.

POLICE GAVE HIM A WARNING AND SAY HE NEEDS A SPECIAL PERMIT FROM THE CITY.

FILKOWSKI SAYS POLICE TOLD HIM IF HE CONTINUES HE'LL GET ARRESTED.

THE TEEN PLANS TO BRING THIS UP TO CITY COUNCIL.

Inaccuracies aside, I appreciate the coverage.
Maybe people were interested enough to come and check out for themselves, and see what was really up.

2007-08-01T18:27:00.000-07:00

Today I had my picture taken at some of the chalk that is still left downtown by a News-Press photographer.

They wrote this story.

The Reporter called the interim City Manager and told her about the story.
He says that he won't allow them to award us a permit even if I ask.

It seems like the issue isn't so much about graffiti, it's more bout what's deemed an appropriate memorial.

"Al Abdo, acting city manager, said even if Filkowski applies for a permit, he won't be granted one. He said because Filkowski’s memorial consists only of chalked names, and is not immediately recognized as a memorial, it won’t be allowed to continue."

I wonder what this could mean..

I think that's not all of what the paper is going to say tomorrow, because, the reporter told me a few sentences of her story, so, maybe it may be a little more in depth in the paper tomorrow.

Some News.

2007-07-31T11:56:00.000-07:00

I have some news, kind of bad, kind of good.

Bad, or good first?

The bad is this:
The next City Council meeting is August 6 at 4:30, and the agenda for that meeting is already set.
Mike Flanders' assistant says that there is really no way to get 'green sheeted' in order to be on that agenda.
Who's creative enough to tell me, that there is a way?

The good news is:
I have a meeting with Councilman Flanders on Monday at 3:00, the day of the meeting.
Whether or not that will help us get on that night's agenda, I have no idea, but at least it's progress.
Maybe we can have some sort of emergency green sheet, or something.

I wish there was a way to get on that agenda, get our permission, and keep on chalking.
It's too bad that someone finds issue with our project.
I just hope that there are people who don't, and who are willing to help out, and get this done with us.
Thanks, guys.

Willie.

One of the few unfinished names from last night.

2007-07-31T09:28:00.000-07:00

I just called City Hall to talk to someone about how to get in to the City Council meetings, and how to get to speak.
I got transferred to the Office of the Clerk where an extremely nice woman is calling over to the Community Development Board to talk to someone about filing a "Green Sheet" which gives me a spot on the agenda. She told me, that I would have to get a department 'head' to file one for me.
Maybe that's what she's doing?

I'm waiting for her to return my call and let me know how things went.

I will keep you posted and let you know how things go.

Look below to see the letter I wrote to Councilman Michael Flanders.

As for the City Council meeting, the information i have so far is that the next meeting August 6, at 4:30. That's next monday.

Thanks for the support,
Willie

2007-07-31T09:26:00.000-07:00

Letter to Michael Flanders, Ft. Myers City Councilman, Regarding the Chalk Project

To: councilmanflanders@cityfm.com
Subject: The Iraq Names Project Southeast

Good morning, Mr. Flanders.

My name is Willie Filkowski, and I just called your office a few minutes ago.
I though I'd put a request in, in writing as well as one on the phone.

I'm contacting you to find out some information about the process of
getting permission for community art projects from the city council.

I have started a project called The Iraq Names Project Southeast,
which came to a screeching halt yesterday.

The project is designed to honor the fallen troops of our war in Iraq.
In chalk, on the sidewalks I've been writing the last names of the
fallen, in chronological order of their date of death, beginning with
the first day of the war. I started a few weeks ago under the flagpole
in Centennial Park, and have worked my way to the Federal Building,
downtown.

Yesterday, someone called the police on us, ten minutes into the day's
work on the project, and we were very respectfully asked to leave by
the police.

Given the meaning of the project, before I started, the thought of
having to get permission was not one that crossed my mind. I was
expressing myself in a way, but more importantly, bringing attention,
honor, and a memorial to over 3,800 Coalition casualties. I feel as
though they are done no justice on the news when you hear a quick
sound bit of what the casualty count is up to. I want people to walk
by the project and realize that behind that collective number, "over
3,800" there are names, real people. There are people with families,
kids, a husband, a wife, mom, dad, and a community that felt the loss
with their passing.

I wonder if you could help me figure out the correct way to gain
permission from City Council to continue with my project, and keep
honoring those who risked their lives at the request of their
government, and paid the ultimate price.

I've been given suggestions to go a council meeting, and request
permission to continue. As I'm 15, and am not so well versed in local
civics, I wonder if you, my city council representative could point me
in the right direction.

Thank you for your help,

Willie Filkowski
7.31.07

Halted.

2007-07-31T04:53:00.000-07:00

Last night, I'm sad to inform you, the project hit a bump in the road.
We were working on the project in front of the Federal Building, and someone called the police on us.

The police were very respectful in asking us not to continue, and informed us that there is a proper way to go about gaining permission from the city to continue.

The bad part of it, though, is that my friend Bonita and I, and possibly Nancy were put into the graffiti watch list, or something like that

So, today starts the process by which we start to get the project back on track.
We're going to write letters, and make phone calls, and do what needs to be done in order to be allowed to continue to honor those who payed the ultimate price when asked by their government to risk their lives.

If anyone has any ideas, or has dealt with something like this before, and can offer advice, I'm all ears.
Or, if you just want to send me an e-mail and let me know you're out there, pulling for the project, that would be nice to get as well.

E-mail me for more information..
hamintheturlet@gmail.com

Thank you for your support,
I'll keep you posted on my progress..
Willie.

2007-07-24T19:14:00.000-07:00

First and foremost, a BIG thanks to Nancy.
Over the past two days she's been there, her and her peace pup, to help me out, which is great.
Maybe the rest of you can get down there sometime? Just kdding, any sort of support is great.

I don't have any pictures becuause, I just have been forgetting my camera, but, what we've been back to is great.
Yesterday's work was washed away when I got out of work this afternoon.
But wait- It didn't rain!

Before work, I saw the chalk there, during my lunch break, I saw the chalk there, but, during my sister's break, she saw them washing it away.
And so did the people in Starbucks.

So, tonight, we finished up the names and went back to the part where they washed it away, and wrote them a note.
"YOU may say I'm a DREAMER.. ..but I'm not the only one. -JOHN LENNON [AND THE REST OF US!] And I drew a picture of John.

(I'll write a letter or two to see what happened.. .. And of course I'll keep you posted.)

Maybe, if you can beat the CITY street cleaners out tomorrow, you can catch a glimps of that.
And, the people at the Morgan House were great, as well. Very supportive.

Thanks to everyone,
Willie

2007-07-24T05:01:00.000-07:00

I know, I know, I know, it's been a whil and I'm slacking.
Sorry.
That's what vacation does to you.

I'm writing this really qucik before work. (I'm running late.)

Last night i haad help from Nancy which went well, we got a lot done and she wants to come back tonight.
I should be there tonight, weather permitting, at about 6:00.

Right across from starbucks.
see you there.

2007-07-17T12:45:00.000-07:00

I'm back from Boston!
We had a really good time, but, right now it's raining, and, I can hear thunder.
So, on top of the week long delay because of my vacation, we've got a rain delay today.

Maybe tomorrow.

But, in the mean time, we've been thinking of other projects to tie into this, the Iraq Names Project.
Since not very many people see the project, we were thinking of putting together another sort of memorial that we can put up once in a while, and have an event.
We've had a lot of ideas, to show people the reality, and the weight of all of the sacrifice.
Sometimes I have a feeling that the chalk project isn't making a huge impact on a lot of people, or, even showing people how huge of a deal war is.
So, that's why we're thinking of another sort of memorial.

Thanks.
Willie

Off to Boston

2007-07-10T08:48:00.000-07:00

Off to Boston.
I bought a load of chalk last night. A lot of good chalk for pretty cheap, that was fun.
Today seems like a great day to go chalking, weather and everything, but, I'm at the airport right now.
I wonder if they'll let me bust out and go do some drawing on the tarmac.
My meeting at EPEC last night, made me think about this project a little more.

Arlyne, who is organizing a commemoration of Hiroshima and Nagasaki in August told me about a similar project she did in Ft. Lauderdale.

The tension and scariness of the Cold War left a lot of people privately worrying about the issue, and taking no public action, forcing people to live in the shadows, almost. Since everything was so tense, her and her friends snuck out in the middle of the night and drew shadows of people on the sides of buildings in chalk, representing the shadows of people that the Cold War created.

It made me think of maybe changing the style of the project.
Let me know if you have any ideas, but I was thinking of a stencil-ish project.
Maybe the outline of a combat boot that we trace, and write the name underneath.
That makes the project a little simpler, and easier to do, if the person who's drawing the names can't get down there.
I'll put some thought into it while I'm away.
I've got my computer with me so, I'll update, but, e-mail, e-mail, e-mail and let me know what you think about a new direction or style or tracing.
Thanks,
Happy Summer,
Willie

2007-07-08T16:48:00.001-07:00

The rain needs to stop.
It's not funny any more.

Two days ago I guess it is now, that I was out last.
That's pretty sad,
And, this week I'm going to Boston for a little while.

So, the sidewalks of Ft. Myers won't see me for a bit.

Adios,
Willie

Post Office.

2007-07-06T11:35:00.000-07:00

Today went phenomenally, just plain awesome.
I scraped my knuckles, but, I got a lot done, that's for sure.

I started from right where we left off when we got rained out in front of the post office. I went along, it was pretty hot, but I'll take heat over rain. Any day.

A few police stopped me today., to figure out what I was up to, I don't think I've seen anyone more disinterested, but, that's fine.

A few people told me I was doing a great job, and one woman promised me that someone somewhere reallyappreciates what I'm doing. That was nice to hear.

People who were going to the post office it seems went in and told the manger or whoever what was kind of going on. He came out and threw his hands in the air asking me what I was doing.. Well, I told him, and he was clearly annoyed but realized that it wasn't worth it to try to make me go. Really, what could he have done? I'm doing no damage at all, causing a few people to do a double take maybe, but, it washes away.

Then, after I cooked in the sun in front of the post office, I went to the parking garage.. The sidewalk there is covered, which is great.. The people who walked by seemed to think it was pretty cool, but it's interesting, I have to say.. that people take notice more of the style of writing I'm using as opposed to the meaning of it, or what is written in the fancy writing.

That's that, no rain so far.. Just clouds that are cooling things down a bit.
Stop by and see it, if you're down town.

And one last thing, pardon the pictures. I took them, our Designated Photographer didn't get a chance to work her magic, but, I hope I did a good job.

Thanks,
willie.

Downtown FM or bust!

2007-07-06T07:25:00.000-07:00

This morning I thought maybe I could pry myself out of bed before eight to get down and do some chalking but, that obviously didn't happen. But, here I come.
After a little bit of a late start, I'm gonna ride my bike down and get some chalking done.
We will see how it goes.

I will probably end up downtown by the post office around 11:00, so, come help out.

Awesome,
Willie

P.S. Today, is a pretty cloudless day, so I'm going to try and chalk up quite a bit.

2007-07-05T18:14:00.000-07:00

Rain, rain, go away,
Come again another day,
If you don't, I will say,
Rain, rain go away.
Rain, rain, go away,
Come again some other day,
We want to go outside and play,
Come again some other day.
Rain, rain, go away,
Come again some other day,
If you don't, I don't care,
I'll pull down your underwear!

Goodness, this is a little much, I swear.
No chalking today either, I'm sad to report.
Hopefully things will look up tomorrow...
Hopefully..

'WINK SkyTracker' says tomorrow won't be much better.
A high of ninety degrees and scattered storms and rain anytime.

I'll do my best, and hope for the best.
So, is there an anti-rain dance?

Willie.

Happy Fourth

2007-07-04T12:16:00.000-07:00

Happy Fourth of July.

I hope everyone is well, and celebrating the holiday with some hot dogs and fireworks. (If you're into that sort of thing.)

Today there is no chalking, due to rain. It's been on and off all day, but hopefully done in time for the fireworks tonight.
Thanks to all of you who are visiting the site and are supporting what we're doing.
Have a happy holiday, and check back tomorrow.
Depending on weather of course, we'll be back at it tomorrow.

Thanks much,
willie

2007-07-03T20:55:00.000-07:00

A short movie I made.
Comments with thoughts would be nice.
I'm sure there will be more to come as we get more photos, and more photos and material from the project.
Thanks.

Rained Out.

2007-07-03T10:59:00.000-07:00

Today we got rained out, and that's okay.

We finally got out of Centennial Park and made it over to the Post Office where I got a pat on the back from a guy, and a handshake.
It's nice to know people are supporting what we are doing.

The rain is always going to be a factor it seems.. and we can deal with that. As long as it doesn't monsoon, it's fine. When it rained today I was still able to see what I had done yesterday even though it was a little faded. I'm sure though, there's not much left besides purple water to what we did today. The curb we were working on in front of the post office was right over a storm drain, so, all of the water that was finding a place to go got kicked up onto our art by cars that were parking there, or driving by.
Oh well, I say to that, oh well.

Today, my mom and two sisters, (the most lovely women in the world) helped me which was awesome! Thanks guys! Er, I mean, girls!

My older sister Kyla is now the project's Designated Photographer, for sure.
She took the most awesome photos of the day, which have blown me away. Thank you SO much!

Thanks, Kyla.

Peace.
Willie

Back at It.

2007-07-02T19:32:00.001-07:00

Day three, would kind of bring us to today.

I decided today to get back at it. I'm going to have to deal with the rain, and just let whoever sees it see it and not worry about how long it's there.

So, back at it.

I underestimated how much work I could get done before the rain came, or it got dark, or I ran out of chalk.
It went well, and I got some encouraging comments from most of the people that stopped to take a look, and also made a new friend.
Friends are always good.

Tomorrow I'm hoping to be there around 9:30. (On the third of July, that is..)
We need to get some more chalk tomorrow morning, and then back to the park. We're across from Harborside Convention Center so far, and about to hop the street and head toward the Post Office. That gives us a little cover from the rain, and a little more traffic.

Some pictures of today..

The final product.

The simple title. Not too descriptive or obtrusive. Simple, and the same text that Nancy in Portland uses.

Day Two.

2007-07-02T19:27:00.000-07:00

Day two.
We went back the next morning and were happy to see that our work from the night before was still there, intact. We got to work, after we got some more chalk and did less names, but, still progress.

That day, it poured, which was really discouraging.

Chalk, for this project, is very symbolic and relevant. Everything is temporary, and in the case of those who knew these fallen soldiers, what you have one day may not be there the next.

The next day, between work, and traveling, I couldn't get back down there, so, we took a break.
We needed to regroup and maybe come up with a plan of attack for dealing with the rain, or something like that.
We came up with not staying in the wide open park for a while, and getting close to buildings which might block out some of the rain. Darn rainy season.

Day One.

2007-07-02T19:13:00.000-07:00

A few nights ago we started the project.
I decided that waiting around for friends to help me, or this or that, was just plain lazy. I'm not going to let any grass grow under my feet.
So, with our first purchase of two crayola boxes of chalk, we took to the streets.
We were so surprised with our work.
It turned out nicely.
My dad and little sister helped a whole lot, and were awesome to help bend their backs a little, and help out.

The most appropriate place I figured to start was under the American Flag. We went until we couldn't see what we were writing any longer.

The Beginning

2007-07-02T18:50:00.000-07:00

Iraq Names Project Southeast.

The Iraq Names Project Southeast is a public art project created to honor the sacrifice of the fallen soldiers of the Iraq war. The project is being done in Ft. Myers, FL, but is a copy-cat off of the original version started by a woman in Portland.

Willie, who started the project in Florida, was really inspired by this project.
He is writing the names of all of the fallen soldiers of the war in Iraq and Afghanistan in sidewalk chalk on the sidewalks of Downtown Fort Myers. He started at the flagpole in Centennial Park and is working his way through the city.

Even though it's rainy season, this project won't be stopped.

The Iraq Names Project is not anti- anything or pro- this or that. This project's meaning is yours for the taking, and mainly hopes to spark thought in passersby, to realize the ultimate sacrifice these men and women have made, and that they're more than a number on TV. These military men and women have families, children, friends, and communities that felt the loss.

This is to honor them, and their families, friends and communities.

Please feel free to leave comments, or thoughts, and send a message to me.
I'll do my best to update as often as possible and help you keep track of my schedule so that you can help!

Thanks a bunch,
Willie.