Saving Private Hegwood

  On the afternoon of June 30th 2020, life changed drastically for a not so ordinary Veteran. A simple modest man who has contributed his whole life to his country and given to thousand's of his fellow Veteran's!
  It started out as a typical day for the 88 year old man from the very small community of Hansen, NE- population of some 89 people. He was working in his shop where he has created some of his most iconic "Military" art of the last 7 decades.
  Ken has had a love for collecting historic military items starting in 1941 at the age of 8. In 1948 as a teen he began painting helmets from both WWI and WWII.
  His hand painted art work/restorations have spanned from the era's of the American Civil War to the present day Afghan/Iraq wars.
  Mr. Hegwood has done his world renowned artistry for the countless museums, historical societies, V.F.W.'s, 1000's of advanced to beginning collector's along with literally hundreds of "Military" reenactors from all over the world.
  His proudest personal interest to his lifelong love of painting and collecting vintage military would be the history. For 8 decades he has collected uniforms, guns, spurs, saddles, stirrups, helmets, flags patches, lead soldiers, collar pins, old military tin toys etc.
  Ken has donated $10,000 plus dollars to fellow Veterans, The American Legion, V.F.W.'s, Wounded Warriors and many others. 
  Since the late 1940's-2020 he has painted some 100 helmets for WWI and WWII Medics, giving them as gifts for their services. He has contributed to the movie "Saving Private Ryan" painting 56 examples for the Academy Award winning film. His contributions to his fellow Veterans and this country are endless!! At the age of 14 he lied to get in to the Marine Corp. and at 16 he altered a birth certificate and joined the National Guard. He was with the 34th Division which he took great pride in being a part of. He served 6 years with the Guards. 
  He lost all of his prized life long collection, 2 pickups, all his painting supplies, shop tools, vintage office equipment along with his 26'x40' shop building. While working with a soldering iron, it ignited a spray can around 12 noon on the 30th of June 2020. When the can blew it struck Ken in the face causing facial burns, singed hair, multiple deep lacerations to his right forearm. He was lucky enough to have his glasses on at the time of the explosion. Dazed, put having enough fortitude to exit his shop he sought out water to put out the fire. But within a few short moments the whole structure was fully engulfed in flames. By the time 4 different rural fire departments arrived, all was gone forever.
 Alas-none of it was insured....
 
Our purpose is to replace Ken's shoppe, his painting supplies, reference  books and a decent/reliable pickup truck. 

I ask all Veterans from this great nation active or retired to give to this Great Patriot and Warrior!!
 We need to help this Military Artisan get back to painting!
He has given so much to fellow Veterans over the last 6 decades, it is our time to give back to him. 

Thank you and God Bless