Rapid City, S.D. – The Black Hills Raptor Center marked Veterans Day with a special unveiling that blended wildlife conservation, Lakota art, and military service. At 10 a.m. on Wednesday, staff, supporters, and local veterans gathered to reveal an original acrylic painting of the center’s beloved bald eagle education bird, Itan.
Veteran artist creates tribute to service and nature
Lakota artist and 20‑year U.S. Air Force veteran Del Iron Cloud joined the nonprofit to announce a new partnership and to present his work. Iron Cloud said a visit to the center’s birds, and meeting Itan, inspired him to craft a piece that tells the eagle’s story while honoring American veterans.
“I was taking so much into that, and when I met Itan, you kind of sewed up the piece there so I decided at that point in time here in his story, I thought that I should be able to do something,” Iron Cloud explained.
Board President Joel Milos told the crowd the center is “honored” by Iron Cloud’s gift. Milos added that the nonprofit could not imagine a better way to thank American veterans on Veterans Day than by sharing an image of the national bird, created by a veteran.
Future artwork planned
Iron Cloud hinted that this painting is the first of a series. He described a possible second piece that would feature an outdoor setting with lakes, mountains, trees, and perhaps a bird in flight or perched on a branch. “I think it’s going to be more like an outdoor with scenery in it, lakes, mountains, tree’s kind of thing with maybe a bird flying or sitting up in a branch or something like that I really don’t know, I have to play with the whole idea,” he said.
Supporting raptor care and education
The Raptor Center will sell prints of the bald eagle painting, with all proceeds directed to its mission of caring for injured raptors and educating the public about these birds of prey. The center’s work includes rehabilitation, release, and classroom programs that inspire local youth and visitors.
Organizers described the event as a brief but meaningful convergence of wildlife conservation, Lakota cultural expression, and military service. By highlighting the shared values of stewardship, honor, and community, the unveiling reinforced the center’s role as a gathering place for citizens who care about both nature and the nation’s veterans.
For those interested in obtaining a print or learning more about the Black Hills Raptor Center’s programs, details are available on the center’s website and at the visitor center located east of Rapid City.
Original reporting: KOTA (Gray) – local — read the source article.
