Recollections - Photo 10

A historic moment in time reuniting the families of Jes Schlaikjer (the artist who painted "O'er the Ramparts We Watch") and Army Air Forces Captain Thomas Wakeman Jr. (the WW II pilot depicted in the painting). This was taken 21 June 2007 at The USAF Band, Historic Hangar II, Conference Room. Pictured from left to right are Carol Ready (the daughter of Captain Thomas Wakeman, Jr.), her daughter, and Paul Biegel (the grandson of artist Jes Schlaikjer).

Recollections - Photo 11

A historic moment in time reuniting the families of Jes Schlaikjer (the artist who painted "O'er the Ramparts We Watch") and Army Air Forces Captain Thomas Wakeman Jr. (the WW II pilot depicted in the painting). This was taken 21 June 2007 at USAF Band, Historic Hangar II, Conference Room. Pictured from left to right are Carol Ready (the daughter of Captain Thomas Wakeman, Jr.) and Paul Biegel (the grandson of artist Jes Schlaikjer).

Recollections - July Photos Revealed

Published July 28, 2009
By Technical Sgt. Matthew Smith
The USAF Band

BOLLING AFB, D.C. -- "'O'er the Ramparts We Watch' came to us (The AF Art Program at the Pentagon) in 1950 with 800 others pertaining to the Army Air Corps. CMSgt Dana Steinhauser (USAF Band PA Director) picked it when I first came over from the old (band) barracks to the new building as it was still in storage along with a few others that pertained to the Band. The Air Force Art Collection folks had the painting restored and reframed. The historic painting was placed on loan to The Band in celebration of its Grand Opening in Historic Hangar II on September 15, 1995."

- Contributed by Mrs. Alice Price, former Deputy Director, Air Force Art Program, and AF Band volunteer/supporter

"I can't think of a better place for it to be! The Air Force Band is just such a wonderful, wholesome part of the military and my dad loved music."

- Contributed by Mrs. Carol Ready

"I'd like to take this opportunity to thank you for enabling my visit to your facility. It was very, very inspiring to meet Carol and to hear her stories of her dad's connection to Jes Schlaikjer. I was also incredibly impressed with your Air Force Band operation there at Bolling. ... it touches me that a military service would go so far and do so much to inspire its brave servicemen and women who are in harm's way. And, as an amateur artist and somewhat of a history buff, I appreciate YOUR work there in assembling/displaying the memorabilia of people and their great works so elegantly in the hallways and rooms."

- Contributed by Paul Biegel, grandson of the artist Jes Schlaikjer.

For more information,

On Captain Thomas Wakeman, Jr., the man portrayed in "O'er the Ramparts We Watch", visit this link.

On Jes Schlaikjer, the artist, visit this link.