STATEHOUSE NEWS

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(Columbus, Ohio) The Eyes of Freedom – Lima Company Memorial exhibit will be on view to the public in the Ohio Statehouse Rotunda from March 10 until March 25. This traveling tribute depicts the fallen of Columbus Ohio-based Lima Company 3/25, one of the most heavily engaged and hardest hit units of US combat operations in the middle east. These 23 life-size portraits are displayed in communities across the nation, rallying those who attend honoring the service and sacrifice of all those who answer our nation’s call.

"As the 20th anniversary of the loss of the men of Lima Co approaches, we are grateful to honor them once again at the Ohio Statehouse, where we first unveiled the portraits in 2008,” said Anita Miller, the artist and creator of the exhibit, “The stories of their lives are still being told through the Eyes of Freedom.”

Over the years the Eyes of Freedom mission has grown to include the fight against Veteran suicide and post-traumatic stress issues.

In 2018, artist/creator Anita Miller completed an addition to the exhibit. A central bronze sculpture entitled “Silent Battle” depicts a service member sitting in solitude after a combat mission, looking at the dog tags and mourning the loss of a fallen comrade. Although we will always proudly honor ALL military service and those who sacrifice for our freedoms, the addition of the bronze sculpture brought the mental health portion of our mission to center stage. The Eyes of Freedom strives to connect struggling Veterans with resources, partner organizations, and other struggling Veterans to unite in the battle against the hidden wounds of war.

“We invite everyone to come, honor and remember Lima Company’s sacrifices and their gift of service. Help us show their families and the world that we will not forget them or the gift they gave,” said Sean Flaharty, Eyes of Freedom Director of Operations, "Artist Anita Miller created the Eyes of Freedom and Silent Battle to honor and remember Lima Company and to recognize service and sacrifice of all who have served. We welcome everyone to come and see the power of the Eyes of Freedom and to learn the history and accomplishments of a dynamic company of service members”

The Eyes of Freedom: Lima Company Memorial was created as a result of Anita Miller’s vision, in which she saw the finished memorial and felt she was being asked to create it. With the help of the families of the fallen and the returned Marines of L3/25, the work was created and unveiled in the Ohio State House Rotunda in 2008, as the vision foretold.

Although the paintings in this Memorial specifically depict the 23 fallen Marines from Lima 3/25, it has become much more; The Eyes of Freedom honors all who have answered the call to service. Behind each portrait we feel the honor and sacrifice of the thousands of men and women who have served our country, in every branch of the armed forces.

About the Eyes of Freedom Organization

Eyes of Freedom is a nonprofit organization centered in Columbus, Ohio. Its purpose is to display the artwork exhibit as a memorial to military sacrifice.

The Eyes of Freedom Memorial’s exclusive transportation provider is R+L Carriers, Inc. based in Wilmington, Ohio. R+L is a leading less-than-truckload (LTL) freight transportation company, providing guaranteed, day-definite regional and transcontinental service through a network of more than 100 service centers in the United States, Canada, Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico.

For more images and more information about The Eyes on Freedom: Lima Company Memorial exhibit, visit www.EyesOfFreedom.org.

To view this press release and others, visit ohiostatehouse.org.

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The Eyes of Freedom: Lima Company Memorial Contact:
Sean Flaharty: 614-218-6087
Director of Operations, Eyes of Freedom
rememberlima@gmail.com
EyesofFreedom.org
BACKGROUND VIDEO: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CX3zSzY9K1U