CityView Magazine

Preserving Precious Memories T A Special Forces veteran finds a calling in serving those who've served | BY KELLY TWEDELL he unassuming house on Reilly Road is packed floor to ceiling, with framed pictures and mem- orabilia, mostly depicting military service. This is where it all happens for Norman Zaldivar and his clients, though Norman is more commonly known by friends and peers as simply "Z". Z's Matting and Framing came to fruition in October 1999 and moved into the Reilly Road space in 2005. A former 7th Special Forces Group member, Z first learned the matting and framing trade while he was on active duty and was trying to save his Special Forces team money by matting and framing the pictures and plaques. Word quickly spread about the quality of his work and he began to do more and more guidons, plaques and framed memo- rabilia for his band of brothers. "I still get to see all the gang," says Z. "It's like I never left." His craftsmanship is a true labor of love and he shared that his hardest work comes from knowing many of those killed in action and he is often working on framing a life- size 16x20 portrait of the warrior and brother in arms. "I often recall the last time I saw that guy and worked or spoke with them," said Z with a pause. As a service to the fallen, he donates a 16x20 print and memorial bracelets to widows or parents. Preserving these memories for a real band of brothers is something that Z offers over other frame shops. His craftsmanship has meaningful ties as he often spends two to three hours with families of the fallen to get a real picture of who the warrior enabling Z to capture the spirit behind the items in the shadow box type frame. "Working with widows is always hard," said Z. "By providing them with a quality frame crafted with love and care, that how I still serve today. It's a real world mission but with a focus on my buddies." With a staff of three he keeps his door open for the special operations community. In April, Z opened his doors to his second store in Niceville, FL. The full ser- vice shop will still serve his comrades who recently made the move from Fayetteville. Z will travel to maintain the family ties and continue to serve. Z has framed and memorialized everything from a "We are all brothers, and war makes it a stronger bond." 32 | September/October • 2011 rock, wire, knives and other personal items. As a true craftsman, he assists his clients with picking out the right design and layout that honor and represent the individual. From retirement plaques to farewell gifts, Z has seen and done it all over the years. He is a true testament in our community of someone who embodies the self- less service by his care and compassion for the military family. CV PHOTOS BY AWAKENING PHOTOGRAPHY

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