BRYAN, OH (WTOL) - Friday night, the Williams County Courthouse in Bryan was turned into an art gallery.
The exhibit, named The Eyes of Freedom, telling the heroic story of the men of Ohio-based Lima Company.
"When you look into the eyes of the men in the paintings, my hope is that people will come away with an open heart and be able to look and experience that gaze back" says Eyes of Freedom artist Anita Miller.
You may remember Lima Company, because between May and August of 2005, 22 Marines and one Navy Corpsman died in service to our country while deployed in Iraq. Eighteen were from Ohio.
"Really the story that captured me was the sacrifice those families have made and that was the part that really tore at my heart" says Miller.
Michael Strahle of Bryan belonged to Lima Company.
He was wounded in battle and now tours the country with the 8 paintings depicting the story of his brothers in arms.
"We got a lot of recognition for the casualties that we took. But it's all the same mission. That's what the memorial is all about. Not about Lima Company. About anyone who's ever put on the uniform" says Strahle.
It's a message not lost by those who gaze into the eyes of these sons, brothers, fathers and friends.
"It really drives home the point that these were real people who gave their lives for us" says Jacob Jones.
"Just to see how young these men were and how they gave their lives for their country." adds Barb Roose.
For those of Lima Company who survived--like Michael Strahle--paintings help you remember the good times and bad times with your fellow Marines.
"It's painful at first but it ends up being a healing process" Strahle says.
Something all will find looking into The Eyes of Freedom.
The paintings will be on display all weekend at the Williams County Fairgrounds in Montpelier.
Next week, they move to Defiance College and the Wauseon VFW Post.
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