MORA, Minn. – A traveling sculpture depicting a Minnesota Gulf War veteran’s struggle with PTSD is unveiled near his hometown for the first time.
Brian Zimmermann, 47, from Sandstone, Minnesota is the subject of “Silent Battle,” a life-sized bronzed sculpture of a veteran suffering from the hidden wounds of war.
Silent Battle will be on display at the Mora Civic Center through Sunday, August 5.
Artist Anita Miller, a Minnesota native now living in Colorado, heard of Zimmermann’s story when he first visited her traveling military memorial, “Eyes of Freedom: Lima Company Memorial” when it came through Minnesota several years ago.
Zimmermann struggled with Gulf War illness, at times his pain was so severe, he found himself in a dark place. Many of the men he served with had taken their lives, a prospect he also had once considered as an escape from his own pain.
Miller asked Zimmermann to help her envision a piece on PTSD, and made him promise that he would live to see the artwork become reality.
It was the beginning of a healing journey, where Zimmermann realized the power of reaching out to fellow veterans struggling in silence.
Silent Battle was initially unveiled in Lewiston, Idaho last winter, but the Minnesota debut is close to Zimmerman’s heart, where many family and friends can see the power of the piece up close.
“It opens people up to look at their own hearts. My heavy heart is gone, I am learning to live with it and trying to help other people walk through it,” said Zimmermann. “I think by the time they walk out the door, that is healing already, because it gets them to open and look in their soul, what is trapped in there.”
Miller said her organization is now trying to expand its mission, from a traveling art memorial to mental health resource.
“People see themselves in the sculpture, it triggers or awakens this part that has been pushed down. Now we are seeing the struggle of people trying to navigate life after combat, and recognizing that is a real and alive need. There is an opportunity for help for people that can provide those resources,” said Miller.
Retired US Marine Corps Cpl. Mike Strahle, an Iraq war veteran, served with the Ohio-based Marines depicted in the Eyes of Freedom paintings. He now travels with the exhibit, taking it across the country as a steward of the artwork, and sees the Silent Battle sculpture touching veterans in an unprecedented way.
“Our reach for this project has doubled now. The profound interactions in each community builds and builds. I get to swoop in as a guy that served with these men, and while their guard is down, we are having some very real conversations,” said Strahle. “It makes the conversation pretty special because I don’t have the fight to get the veteran to open up like their families do.”
“I no longer want hope, I feel like I am there,” said Zimmermann.
KARE 11 and KUSA-TV collaborated on several stories following the journey of Miller creating the sculpture of Zimmerman. KUSA-TV produced a 30 minute documentary on the project, titled The Promise.
If you would like to see the Eyes of Freedom and Silent Battle exhibit, visit the Mora Civic Center at 701 Union St S, Mora, MN. The exhibit is on display 24 hours a day until Sunday, August 5th at 4 p.m., and will continue to travel the country.
So far, the Eyes of Freedom has been in 32 states, nearing 300 events over the past decade.