Artwork on a motorcycle honors the fallen soldier.
By Jerry Hume
Wednesday, June 04, 2008 at 6:44 p.m.
Read more: Local, Community
ISHPEMING -- A downstate family who lost their son to sniper fire in Afghanistan is remembering his life and service in a special way. On Wednesday, full of tears and excitement, the Blaskowski family saw the final work of art that depicts their son and brother, Sergeant First Class Matthew Blaskowski.
Each portrait and badge spray painted on the motorcycle's fenders and gas tank represent a part of his life. The cycle was originally going to be a welcome back present once he returned from Afghanistan. Now it will be a lasting tribute to his service.
“First we wanted to commemorate Matthew and what he stood for and what he accomplished through his life,” said his mother Cheryl Blaskowski. “And when he died, we wanted to remember him and have a piece of him with us.”
The pictures were all painted on by a Humboldt graphic artist, Rachel Niemi of Raven Graphics.
The Blaskowskis say the bike will not only keep Matt's memory alive, but it'll also be used as a tribute to all servicemen and women still serving overseas.
Now that they have all the pieces, they'll go home and put together Matthew's bike.
