Traveling military tribute coming to Lyons June 6-11
May 30—A Lyons artist's tribute to veterans will be featured as part of a traveling exhibit next month.
Open viewing hours for the Eyes of Freedom exhibit will be from 10 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. from June 6 to 11. The life-sized portraits of the fallen veterans will be available for residents to see at the Lyons Regional Library, 451 Fourth Ave.
According to an Eyes of Freedom news release, the artist, Anita Miller, now a Lyons resident, worked together with families to paint realistic and accurate full-length portraits of their sons who died together in Iraq in 2005. Added to the exhibit are the combat boots of those who died, which the families gave to Miller to include.
Miller has added a life-sized bronze statue titled "Silent Battle," which seeks to highlight the mental health crisis which some veterans experience.
A motorcycle escort at 3:15 p.m. June 5 will signify the exhibit's arrival. Special programming will take place at 7 p.m. each night of the exhibit. The opening ceremony on June 6, features Gold Star mother, Sarah Duvall, whose son is depicted in one of the paintings. Other topics discussed will be mental health awareness and art as a tool to help veterans.
For more information, people can visit lyons.colibraries.org or eyesoffreedom.org.
