Virginia Beach Volunteer Rescue Squad ~ "A Dolphin's Promise"

"A Dolphin's Promise" Project and Cancer Research

A special thank you to David Whitley (Rescue 14 Life Member and Paramedic) and Patricia Sawyer (a good friend of Rescue 14) for funding and donating to the squad a special EMS dolphin sculpture. David and Pat contracted with well-known local Artist Mike McCloskey (noted for his 12,000 square foot of a F-14 mural on the back of the Flagship Hotel at the oceanfront) to design a split mural.

On one side of the dolphin the mural depicts the Virginia Beach Volunteer Rescue Squad building and emergency equipment as it was seen in the early 1960's.

Click each image to see a larger picture or Click here to see all of the pictures now.

	On the opposite side of the dolphin the mural depicts the Virginia Beach Volunteer Rescue Squad building and emergency equipment as it is seen in 2006 along with the Fire Station 11/14 and the Second Police Precinct.
	In the 2006 mural the artist also included the Nightingale Air Ambulance, the new Virginia Beach Conference Center Tower and and fire station 11/14 along with the second police precinct.

In the front and center of the dolphin is a "gold cross" that serves to link the past to the present.

"A Dolphin’s Promise" is a non-profit organization working in partnership with the city of Virginia Beach. Their goal is to bring hundreds of life size sculptures of dolphins to the shores and neighborhoods of our beautiful city. This is a project with a very important purpose; to raise one million dollars for cancer research and to help save and protect marine life.

Please check out

"A Dolphin's Promise" at their web site:

http://www.adolphinspromise.com/

Bobby Hill Rescue 14 Historian recently made a trip to the Virginia Aquarium on General Booth Blvd with one of our units and snapped a number of photos of the many dolphins on display. We hope you enjoy the photos.

About the Artist - Mike McCloskey

Local beach artist, Mike McCloskey, is probably best known for his 12,000 square foot F-14 mural on the back of the Flagship Hotel at the oceanfront, or for the dragon mural in the sushi bar of Mahi-Mah’s restaurant at the oceanfront. He has also painted numerous murals for countless homes and businesses through the Hampton Roads area.

The son of a retired Navy chief, Mike specializes in patriotic themes. Of being involved with A Dolphin’s Promise, Mike says, “Of all the wonderful people I have painted for, and all the beautiful artwork I have created, I am most proud to be involved with this charity effort, A Dolphin’s Promise.

For years to come, Virginia Beach will be known for its decorated dolphins, and I am very fortunate to be chosen to create some of them. Working with the Volunteer Rescue Service has been an honor. I look forward to contributing further to A Dolphin’s Promise. ”

Mike can be reached at 757-425-2469.

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