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Silent Battle Sculpture by Anita Miller
The artist created this work to travel the country highlighting mental health, grief and post traumatic stress.
Permanent Silent Battle Monuments are being placed across the country to bring comfort and compassion to those impacted by mental health challenges and suicide.
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How Silent Battle was born
Brian Zimmermann, a Vet suffering from PTS who had lost many friends to suicide met the Eyes of Freedom team in northern MN and went on to inspire the artist...
How Silent battle was born...
Silent battle was created as a collaborative effort between a suffering Veteran and an artist….
Brian Zimmermann, shown above was the inspiration behind the image of the soldier returning from battle, and grieving the dog tag of his fallen brother in his hand. He witnessed this while he was on deployment and the vision haunted him. Brian was confident that if an artist created that, no words of explanation would be needed and all Veterans would understand the feeling. And most importantly, they would know, THEY ARE NOT ALONE IN THEIR SUFFERING. Brian believed the first step in healing is knowing you are not alone.
Anita Miller, creator of the traveling memorial, Eyes of Freedom, agreed to take on the challenge as long as Brian would assist. He agreed, believing it would make a difference.
He was right as we have witnessed profound shifts and transformations as people interact with the work. But the sculpture is not enough, it needs a compassionate caring community to support someone who is suffering. Thats where Silent Battle Network comes in...
Silent battle teaches about service & sacrifice
Traveling across the Nation, as we bring awareness and education, we've witnessed a growth of compassion and empathy in teens and children as well as deeper commitments of support to those who are suffering their own silent battle. When we display in schools, students interact with our staff and learn about the gift of service and sacrifice. Teaching about moral injury opens a sacred conversation between service members, students and the public. This provides a rich opportunity to speak about the very painful issue of suicide in a loving environment. Teachers can use the opportunity to teach about service, history and art as well as mental health. We also provide the public and local veteran communities many ways to participate and learn.
TESTIMONIALS
The artist's statement
About this work...
In 2005, like many others in central Ohio,I was deeply moved by the tragic losses of Lima company, a Marine Reserve unit based out of Columbus. I wanted to help ease the suffering of those who lost their loved ones. Not knowing any of those involved personally, I resolved that all I could do was make a monetary donation and leave it at that.
However, a couple months later, I received the inspiration to create a memorial to the fallen. I invited their families to work with me to paint accurate likenesses of their 23 sons. Between my own inspiration and the family’s guidance, we created the work together. This traveling memorial, now called Eyes of Freedom still travels 20 years after their deaths.
As an artist, I am moved to create by what I witness and experience, from my perspective and interpretation of events. I create through a civilian lens, but I am informed by the experiences of those I encounter who’s stories move me deeply.
I created Silent battle in response to what I and my staff were experiencing in the circle of the Eyes of Freedom in our travels. Over and over, we heard men and women share stories of their suffering from grief, loss and post traumatic stress as a result of their service. In 2015, we met Brian Zimmermann, an Army Gulf war Veteran who had lost many friends to suicide. He offered to share his story with me which became the inspiration behind Silent Battle. Brian believed that those who were suffering their own silent battle would see themselves reflected in the sculpture and realize they are not alone. He offered to help because he wanted no one to be left behind in darkness.
As an artist, its my job to create from my own experience and hold up a mirror to what I see. I see grief, pain and loss and I also see love, hope and healing. People who see my work will create their own narrative, bringing to their own experiences into the mix. Interacting with art opens the door to tough conversations and can be a tool to inspire new ways to think or a bridge across a silent divide.
Perhaps my work will cause people to think, feel and talk amongst themselves, perhaps they will get curious and want to know more or be inspired to act. If what I created inspires others to reach out, to start a conversation, to meet one another in love and compassion or simply to nurture empathy and appreciation for those who have given themselves in service to our Nation, I am grateful.
I’m thankful for the opportunity to create loving spaces where people can come together and share their own experiences. My hope is that we can lighten each other’s load in these conversations. Whatever your thoughts or opinions, I welcome your voice.
Let’s talk.