In recent weeks, I have been able to spend a few days 'protecting' a particular gallery that contains Portraits of Courage, 66 portraits of wounded and now recovered Post-9/11 Veterans, all painted by former President George W. Bush. These portraits are described as "A VIBRANT COLLECTION OF OIL PAINTINGS AND STORIES BY PRESIDENT GEORGE W. BUSH HONORING THE SACRIFICE AND COURAGE OF AMERICA'S MILITARY VETERANS ..."
From the moment I first walked into that gallery and saw those paintings and started listening to those personal stories as read by President Bush along with watching the personal testimonies as told by the veterans themselves, my emtional button was and continues to get pushed. While I wasn't sure as to why the tears flowed inititally, I do believe I have come to an understand as to why that is.
First of all, let me say that the emphasis in that gallery is not President Bush nor is it his great portrait painting skill that he learned to do since the ending of his presidency. Nor is the main element of this gallery meant to be the support financially of the veterans programs that President Bush created, although I am sure that is a hopeful result.
The important element is the courage that these particular Post-9/11 Veterans exhibited in their quest for recovery along with an understanding of the seriousness of the wounds from war. Add to that, no matter at what level that recovery was, they struggled through great pain, frustrations, the ups and downs and various setbacks, etc. to reach their present status of a victorious yet still difficult and challenging daily life.
Coming out of the Iraq and other recent wars, these veterans suffered various types of casualties - all of which were crippling physically and mentally. These soldiers could have given up and laid around in their wounded state waiting for others to do everything for them or for the arrival of their own death to it all.
But they didn't. And this is where I was, am and always will be moved - hopefully to make my own application for and to myself - and if others can recover from their 'war wounds' because of this, great!
From the moment I first walked into that gallery and saw those paintings and started listening to those personal stories as read by President Bush along with watching the personal testimonies as told by the veterans themselves, my emtional button was and continues to get pushed. While I wasn't sure as to why the tears flowed inititally, I do believe I have come to an understand as to why that is.
First of all, let me say that the emphasis in that gallery is not President Bush nor is it his great portrait painting skill that he learned to do since the ending of his presidency. Nor is the main element of this gallery meant to be the support financially of the veterans programs that President Bush created, although I am sure that is a hopeful result.
The important element is the courage that these particular Post-9/11 Veterans exhibited in their quest for recovery along with an understanding of the seriousness of the wounds from war. Add to that, no matter at what level that recovery was, they struggled through great pain, frustrations, the ups and downs and various setbacks, etc. to reach their present status of a victorious yet still difficult and challenging daily life.
Coming out of the Iraq and other recent wars, these veterans suffered various types of casualties - all of which were crippling physically and mentally. These soldiers could have given up and laid around in their wounded state waiting for others to do everything for them or for the arrival of their own death to it all.
But they didn't. And this is where I was, am and always will be moved - hopefully to make my own application for and to myself - and if others can recover from their 'war wounds' because of this, great!
First, let me introduce you to just a few of the soldier's portraits. Keep in mind that on flat paper these portraits do not have the same affect as seeing them in person. The originals are available in the gallery thus you can see and experience the thickness of the paint, etc. I believe you can see the struggles, the pain, the damage and sense the sacrifice, etc. in the faces of these soldiers. It is as if they are in those frames looking at you and showing you the hardship and courage that they endured. If you ever have the opportunity to see the portraits in person, I strongly suggest you make that visit. If not, at least purchase the book "Portraits of Courage." It is available online at Amazon or www.bushcenter.org for $35.00.
While the book contains the short stories of each soldier's injury along with a few comments about their recovery efforts as well as their relationship with President Bush, the live gallery has those same stories available in two and a half minute audio recordings from Prestident Bush telling the story for each of the soldiers. Also available are short videos from each soldier themselves telling us a little about their traumatic injuries, their personal victories during their efforts of recovery. To hear the President's voice and/or to hear and see the actual veteran tell his story was quite inspiriing - and emotional for me.
Why is that, you ask? While my son served his duty in Iraq as a USMC, he was not physically wounded nor was he mentally wounded - at least not that I am aware of at this time. And myself? My time to serve was during the Vietnam war era and I missed the draft with a high 'lottery' number and had earlier received a 'pass' by being a student in college; I also believe I would have failed the physical because of the serious back injuries and eye issues I had.
Why is that, you ask? While my son served his duty in Iraq as a USMC, he was not physically wounded nor was he mentally wounded - at least not that I am aware of at this time. And myself? My time to serve was during the Vietnam war era and I missed the draft with a high 'lottery' number and had earlier received a 'pass' by being a student in college; I also believe I would have failed the physical because of the serious back injuries and eye issues I had.
I. So why is this gallery of courageous soldiers so important to me
and as I also believe, can be important to you?
Click here to go to the next page to find out!
(updated 1/16/2020 - 9:45 a.m.)
II. How do our spiritual wounds compare to PTS and TBI
(I will complete this as I continue to study PTS and TBI in more detail)
(These pages are completed on Microsoft Word - if you cannot open these pages, please contact me.)
and as I also believe, can be important to you?
Click here to go to the next page to find out!
(updated 1/16/2020 - 9:45 a.m.)
II. How do our spiritual wounds compare to PTS and TBI
(I will complete this as I continue to study PTS and TBI in more detail)
(These pages are completed on Microsoft Word - if you cannot open these pages, please contact me.)