Mount Mary College features exhibit honoring troops

MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- They're images that break your heart and words you read in disbelief.

"We encourage people to use whatever expressive means they can to help begin to relieve the internal pressure of those horrific images that they`re carrying around inside themselves," says Mount Mary College Art Therapy Department Chair Bruce Moon.

"Always Lost: A Meditation on War" is an exhibit that's now being featured at Mount Mary College.

This powerful installation shows the painful reality of war that our men and women have seen and experienced as they've served in Iraq and Afghanistan.

One of the most dramatic pieces is a wall covered with the names and pictures of more than 6,500 American service members, who have died in the Middle East since September 11th, 2001.

"It helps people remember and bring honor to those folks, but it also stimulates conversation and thought about the cost of war," says Moon.

The exhibit is filled with a collection of poems, stories, quotes, and photos.

It was put together by students at Western Nevada College.

"One of the writing instructors at Western Nevada was interested in creating an ongoing and challenging assignment for her writing students and what they decided to do is really focus on the role of the arts in society," says Moon.

Since 2009, the exhibit has been traveling across the country, educating some and promoting healing for others who have buried painful memories.

But everyone can walk away with a sense of gratitude for the sacrifices our men and women in uniform have made for us.

The exhibit will be on display at Mount Mary College's Marian Gallery through February 16th.