Operation Dog Tag to Extend Tribute to Veterans

"Thank You" is an eagle with a 7-foot wingspan with armor and feathers made in part with replicas of veterans' dog tags.

Artist Cathy Janes said the statue began in 2009 when she asked in Imperial Beach to put a jar at the bar to collect donations, and ended up with a place to build the sculpture, hundreds of dollars in donations and a helping hand when she needed it.

It couldn't have been made without support from local veterans in Imperial Beach, Coronado and elsewhere, she said.

"I'm not even from here, and everybody just jumped to help," she said. "At the end I was behind in getting it finished, and sculpting in National City, and two guys with drills in their hands showed up and stayed up all night long to add those dog tags."

After being a part of the Port of San Diego's Urban Trees project – and displayed in front of the USS Midway with the names of vets from World War II to Iraq and Afghanistan – the statue was donated to the FRA in IB.

Those killed or missing in action are honored with a .

Continuing the tribute, Operation Dog Tag kicks off Saturday at 5 p.m. with a moment of silence, then a BBQ and live music at FRA Branch 289.

Living or dead, veterans or the friends and families of veterans can have a replica of a veteran's dog tag added to pillars that will be constructed alongside the "Thank You" statue.

Donations of $10 will go to the Warrior Foundation of San Diego and Freedom House, which provide transitional housing for active-duty service men and women returning from deployments.

Even before the official beginning Saturday, the extension of the tribute is shaping up to be a community effort, Janes said, with support from active duty sailors.

"It's a love thing, man," she said. "I'm just not going to stop until everybody knows."

"I think people need to say thank you to all our veterans for their sacrifice and commitments, and I thought that was a nice way to display it. Because they are the ones that make it safe, and make it happen here for us," Janes said.

Veterans and the friends and families of veterans from all branches of service are invited to be a part of the project.

"I don't see a segregation between any of the branches whatsoever", she said. "Whether you're a Navy SEAL or a cook on a supply ship, you're still doing your part," she said.

Janes is a poet, a veteran and an artist. She moved to Imperial Beach last December to be closer to her son, a Navy SEAL currently attending Point Loma Nazarene University.