A Message
from the Artist about “The Warrior Storm”
Thank you for accepting this gift of a print from The Warrior
Storm, an original color pencil drawing made by Marla Derga.
I am the wife of Bob Derga and Stepmother of Cpl. Dustin A.
Derga Lima Co 3/25 4th div. USMC. The first group portrait
drawing I did was of Dustin and the men who were KIA in Operation
Matador. The Warrior Storm has become a companion piece to
this first work.
Within this piece there are many images. First and foremost
are those of the men themselves.
Sgt. Justin F. Hoffman
Lcpl. Edward A. Schroder
Lcpl. Nicholas B. Bloem
Lcpl. Aaron H. Reed
Lcpl. Christopher J. Dyer
Lcpl. Timothy M. Bell
Lcpl. Eric J. Bernholtz
Cpl. David Kenneth J. Kreuter
Lcpl. Grant B. Fraser
Lcpl. William Brett Whightman
Lcpl. Michael J. Cifuentes
Cpl. David S. Stewart
Lcpl. Kevin G. Waruinge
Sgt. Bradley J. Harper
At the far right leading edge of the sand storm down toward
the bottom you will see an Arabic word. This is the Arabic
spelling of the name of an Iraq soldier who was KIA in this
incident. Everyone called him “Neil”.
They are all depicted as if their portraits are coming out
of the wall of a sand storm. And just like the fierce yet
brief nature of these desert storms, so were the lives and
passions of these men. Within the sand storm cloud you will
find the image of doves, one for each man. Symbolizing the
release of each soul to our Creator. At the bottom left hand
corner is the image of the 3/25 4TH Marine Division emblem
which these men were all a part of at the time of their death.
In the upper right hand of the drawing you will find the image
of the Eagle Globe and Anchor. It seems to swirl into form
from the very desert sand of the storm. This symbolizes the
legacy these brave men’s lives will leave to the USMC
they all came to love and serve. In the foreground you will
find the image of an Amtrac vehicle. In its wake you will
find the words “Semper Fidelis” etched in the
sand. This symbolizes the other men in 3/25 continuing on
to the house in the distance, the next mission, their brothers-in-arms
standing in the gap left by these brave and selfless men.
I have found great healing and insight while creating this
drawing. I hope that you too will find a measure of healing
and solace in the images. It is my hope by doing these drawings
I give back a measure of gratitude and homage to the mothers,
fathers, spouses, family, friends, and brothers-in-arms who
helped make these young men America’s best. Semper Fidelis
Bob and Marla Derga
Always the proud Father and Stepmother of Cpl. Dustin A. Derga
USMC
The original drawing is 33 X21 inches. Your print is 12 3/4
X 20 inches and is printed on archival paper using archival
inks. This print is suitable for framing and the color should
stay vibrant for years to come. Please be aware that all prints,
even those done with archival materials, will fade over time
if exposed to too much direct sunlight.
Order your print by clicking on the button
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