The Editor visited the Fire Department, at 206 W. Main Street, Morrison, IL, on Wednesday, December 21, 2022, to interview Firefighters, about their annual toy delivery event. Between 5:00 and 7:30 p.m., they would bring toys to 104 Morrison children, using two grand fire engines that carried one Santa each, and either Mrs. Claus or an elf.
I arrived early and happily interviewed Firefighter Chad Hudson, who displayed an original work of art. He had asked Nikki Pruis of Morrison to paint his retired helmet. As a former member of the U. S. Army, Hudson requested that Pruis “make it patriotic.”
That she did!
Handpainted text lists on the front Shield, “We Support Our Brave Men & Women.” Pruis listed Corrections, Dispatch, EMS, Nurse, Firefighter, Police, and Military. Behind the shield is a flowing flag motif.
On the back, she painted patriotic iconography and seals representing five-of-six military service branches. Space Force was not included.
In August, Pruis exhibited her striking artwork at the 2022 Whiteside County Fair, titling it “For Love of Country.” Her explanatory data is included on the helmet base.
Hudson stated, “Everybody should see this. Something like this should be displayed proudly.”
Fireman Tim West owns a Pruis creation, too. She painted his recycled helmet with Chicago Cubs baseball art; he has worn the hat to ball games. Someone behind West complained it blocked their view!