ALPHA INDUSTRIES X HAS HEART: MASSACHUSETTS

U.S. Marine Veteran Anthony Marquez and designer Fish McGill collaborated to create the design "XVII," a stylized interpretation of the chainsaw carvings Anthony was inspired to create as a way to honor the 17 Marines his unit lost during his last deployment in 2011 in Sangin, Afghanistan. Driven by the desire to honor the fallen and their Gold Star families, Anthony learned how to carve in 2016 and immediately pursued his newly-found purpose to carve 17 Battlefield Crosses in honor of those who made the ultimate sacrifice. Beginning with the large log reclaimed from a fallen tree, Anthony carves out and personalizes each carving to commemorate the fallen and then drives all over the country to hand-deliver it to the Gold Star family at their home or the gravesite of their Marine.

Inspired by the personal memorial display Anthony built in his own home, Fish presented the Battlefield Cross carving in front of a Gold Star and U.S. flag in a rugged, hand-etches style that symbolizes the compassion that drives Anthony to create each carving for his fellow Marines and their families, making sure to let them know that their sacrifice and loss will never be forgotten or fade away in time.

Marine Veteran Anthony Marquez worked with designer Fish McGill to transform Marquez’ 3D sculptures into a two dimensional Has Heart design “XVII”. Marquez lost eleven fellow Marines in his final Afghanistan tour in 2011. To cope with the tragedy and to honor his fallen brothers Marquez began to master the art of chainsaw carving in 2016. With his newly found skill he has tasked himself with the opportunity to create personalized monuments to deliver to each Gold Star family. Transforming large logs of reclaimed wood into works that immortalize his fellow Marines allows Marquez to stay connected with his experiences and community. Marquez sees his work as an opportunity to let the families of these Marines know their loss will never be forgotten.