Iraq War Traveling War Memorial in Clearwater April 3-5

MEDIA ALERT – PHOTO/VIDEO OPPORTUNITY

To request Media Access to Memorial Exhibit:

Event Host Contact: Jim Rudolph (owner) (727) 524-9202 or

Crystal Jardine (Promotions Director for Veterans Funeral Care) (440) 570-3054

Veterans Funeral Care 15381 Roosevelt Blvd, Clearwater, FL 33760

The Eyes of Freedom: Lima Company Memorial

Contact: Mike Strahle (419) 551-0335


3777 Ashton Woods Place, 
Columbus, OH 43230

WHAT: The Eyes of Freedom: Lima Company Memorial

This traveling memorial, delivered to you by R+L Carriers, depicts the fallen of Lima Company 3/25, one of the hardest hit units in Operation Iraqi Freedom. These 23 life-size portraits have become a powerful traveling military tribute honoring all those who answered the call to service, in every branch of our armed forces. These Eyes reflect the hundreds of thousands of men and women that have sacrificed defending our Freedoms. Visit www.EyesofFreedom.org

Link to BACKGROUND VIDEO: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hT-7nlSNWac

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WHERE: VETERANS FUNERAL CARE

               15381 Roosevelt Blvd, Clearwater, FL 33760

WHEN:   April 3-5, 2014


               Public Exhibit Hours: Thursday, April 3 (11am-7pm)

Opening Ceremony at 11am – The Memorial will be escorted to Veterans Funeral Care by local police, fire, military, and Patriot Guard Riders.  The escort will begin at 9:30am and arrive at Veterans Funeral Care at 10:45am. What a site to see!

           Friday, April 4 (10am-7pm)

           Saturday, April 5 (10am-6pm)

QUOTES FOR PRESS:

“We are very excited to bring a wonderful experience to the community and allow everyone in attendance to honor the men and women that serve in our great military,” added Mike Strahle, Director of The Eyes of Freedom and a member of the Lima Company (he served along with the men honored in the life-size paintings). “We are honored to be led into town by a large motorcycle escort, many of whom are veterans, and we invite everyone to visit us during display hours to honor all branches of service, past present and future. You do not want to miss it!”

Artist and creator of the exhibit Anita Miller added, “The main reason for creating The Eyes of Freedom was to heal family members and loved ones after suffering such loss in 2005, and now it travels as part of a much larger mission.” Miller worked with family and Lima Co. Marines to paint this tribute, a project that took her two and a half years to complete.

ADDITIONAL BACKGROUND:

The Eyes of Freedom: Lima Company Memorial was created as a result of an Ohio artist’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.

Mike Strahle retired from Lima Co. 3/25 and upon seeing The Eyes of Freedom unveiled at the Statehouse in 2008 knew he had witnessed something truly special. Three years later he would contact Anita Miller, the artist and creator, requesting to host the memorial at a Veteran’s Support fundraiser he co-founded. It was this reunion that sparked the passing of the baton from its creator to the hands of a brother in arms. For Mike this mission is personal. He too was badly injured in the explosion that took six of his squad members; two more fell to enemy fire just days prior.

The Eyes of Freedom Memorial’s exclusive transportation provider is R+L Carriers, Inc. based in Wilmington, OH. 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.

Veterans Funeral Care was founded by Jim Rudolph. We are unique in that we provide services to Veterans and their families only. The mission of Veterans Funeral Care is to help Veterans and their families by reducing funeral costs. They offer cremation and burial services to Veterans and their spouses across the Unites States.  Veterans Funeral Care is represented in 38 states with over 125 locations. Using our services will typically save a family 40% of the cost of a traditional funeral home. Not only do they provide funeral services, their staff is highly trained in Veteran benefits and also enjoys hosting event for Veterans as a way to say THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE.

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