STATEHOUSE NEWS

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The Eyes of Freedom: Lima Company Memorial has returned to the Ohio Statehouse and will be on view in the Rotunda from February 15 to March 17. The exhibit was first unveiled at the Ohio Statehouse in 2008. The display was created in memory of 22 fallen Marines and a Navy Corpsman from Lima Company, 3rd Battalion, 25th Marine Regiment, 4th Marine Division who lost their lives while serving in Iraq in 2005. The exhibition will be on public view for 31 days in the Ohio Statehouse Rotunda and is free and open to the public.

Additions and Changes to the Memorial

The memorial began as a dream of artist Anita Miller of Columbus, Ohio in 2005. With help, her vision became reality when her paintings were unveiled in the Rotunda of the Ohio Statehouse in 2008. Since then, the Lima Company Memorial has been viewed at 66 other sites across the nation. The Ohio Statehouse was the first venue and is the 68th site to host this moving memorial.

Although the paintings and the emotional impact have not changed, some new elements have been added. The heavy steel frames have been replaced with aluminum frames. A video monitor will debut a new video for this exhibition. An additional painting is on display depicting three support Marines who were also killed in the same 2005 incident: Cpl. David “Bear” Stewart of Bogalusa, Louisiana; LCpl. Kevin Waruinge of Tampa, Florida and Sgt. Bradley Harper of Dresden, Ohio.

Attendants will be on hand every day to interact with visitors. Guests may also interact with the Lima Company Memorial by using smart phones and other devices capable of reading QR codes. Available cards with QR codes lead to videos that tell the story of the men depicted in the paintings and comments by the artist.

Guests may add to the memorial, by writing a personal message on the back of a dog tag. Dog tags are available for purchase in the Statehouse Museum Shop on the ground floor of the Ohio Statehouse, along with other commemorative items. Dog tags may be put into the boots which are part of the Lima Company Memorial. The dog tags will travel with the exhibit to the next venue.

The display of the Lima Company Memorial will be in the Rotunda of the Ohio Statehouse from February 15 to March 17. It is free and open to the public every day, except for February 18, when the Ohio Statehouse will be closed in remembrance of Presidents’ Day.

About the Lima Company Memorial

The Ohio-based Marine Reserve unit, once known as “Lucky Lima,” was one of the hardest hit units in Operation Iraqi Freedom, suffering deaths of 22 Marines and their Navy Corpsman. Created by Columbus artist Anita Miller, the memorial contains life-sized paintings of each of the 23 fallen heroes. Names and statistics of each of the fallen men, an ever-living candle, boots and space for visitors to leave mementos will be part of this moving memorial installation.

The Ohio Statehouse grand Rotunda will serve as a solemn place to honor these American service members from February 15 through March 17.

“The Ohio Statehouse is proud to again host this important and emotional exhibition that honors our country’s heroes and recognize the contributions that our service men and women make to our country,” said William E. Carleton, Executive Director of the Capitol Square Review and Advisory Board.

The exhibition at the Ohio Statehouse will offer thousands of individuals the opportunity to learn about the sacrifices that these fallen servicemen have given our state and nation.

The Fallen heroes include:
Private First Class Christopher R. Dixon
Lance Corporal Christopher P. Lyons
Staff Sergeant Anthony L. Goodwin
Petty Officer 3rd Class Travis Youngblood (Navy Corpsman)
Sergeant Justin F. Hoffman
Staff Sergeant Kendall H. Ivy II
Lance Corporal Nicholas William B. Bloem
Corporal Andre L. Williams
Lance Corporal Grant B. Fraser
Lance Corporal Aaron H. Reed
Lance Corporal Edward A. Schroeder II
Lance Corporal William B. Wightman
Lance Corporal Timothy M. Bell, Jr.
Lance Corporal Eric J. Bernholtz
Corporal Dustin A. Derga
Lance Corporal Nicholas B. Erdy
Lance Corporal Wesley G. Davids
Sergeant David N. Wimberg
Lance Corporal Michael J. Cifuentes
Lance Corporal Christopher J. Dyer
Lance Corporal Jonathan W. Grant
Sergeant David Kenneth J. Kreuter
Lance Corporal Jourdan L. Grez

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

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

The Ohio Statehouse is more than a monument to our past; it's where history happens! The Ohio Statehouse is open weekdays from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m.; weekends from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.; closed holidays. The Ohio Statehouse Museum is open weekdays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; weekends from noon to 4 p.m.; closed holidays. Admission is free. Free guided tours are offered weekdays on the hour from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., and weekends from noon to 3 p.m. Tours depart from the Map Room easily accessible from the Third Street entrance. Groups of 10 or more are requested to call in advance to ensure a guide is available. Contact 888/OHIO-123 for more information or to schedule a group tour. For more information about the Ohio Statehouse visit www.ohiostatehouse.org.

The Ohio Statehouse is handicapped accessible and senior friendly. The Capitol Square complex was restored to allow for greater access by individuals living with disabilities. Ohio Statehouse public programs and events are held in accessible and barrier free areas of the building so that everyone can participate. Ohio Statehouse visitors needing disability-related accommodations in order to fully participate in an event may contact the Capitol Square Review and Advisory Board at statehouse@csrab.state.oh.us or 614/752-9777 to communicate special needs. Please allow three weeks for arrangements to be completed.

The Capitol Square Review and Advisory Board (CSRAB) is responsible for maintaining the historic character of the Statehouse and Capitol Square while providing for the health, safety and convenience of those who work in or visit the complex. The Ohio Statehouse Museum Education Center coordinates tours of Capitol Square and provides information about the buildings, their history and Ohio's government.

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