Yesterday, Senator John Kerry viewed Iraqi War veteran Peter Damon’s artwork which is on display in our nation’s capitol. The Senator has invited Damon to display his artwork in the Rotunda of the U.S. Capitol in Washington all week. Damon, a Sergeant in the Massachusetts Army National Guard, lost both of his hands in Iraq in 2003.
“Sergeant Damon’s work is amazing. It’s well beyond inspirational to think that after losing both of his hands in Iraq, Peter didn’t give up and he pushed himself through rehabilitation and today produces these incredible paintings. For anyone who has ever been discouraged or demoralized by life’s ups and downs, Peter is a living, breathing lesson about finding goodness and beauty in the face of loss. I’m happy to have played some small role in bringing him to Washington so that he can share his artwork with the Senate. Peter and thousands of veterans like him in the Wounded Warrior Project embody the strength of the human spirit, and they are reminders to all of us about what this Veterans Day is all about,” said Senator Kerry.
Karen Bradley reports on the art of Sergeant Peter Damon and the Wounded Warrior Project:
"The Russell Rotunda is often full of high school groups, looking around in some awe at the sheer elegance of the space. The addition of paintings all around the room only added to the sense of soaring history already present in the marble.""The Wounded Warrior Project was developed by veterans who were moved by news stories of returning Afghan and Iraq War vets. Parades and brass bands seemed to them to be short-term and not useful. They especially wanted to do something for those severely wounded soldiers that would be healing."
"In addition to delivering backpacks to the bedsides of the soldiers, their mission includes increasing awareness and enlisting the public's aid in caring for the severely injured, to help them assist each other and to provide unique, direct services to meet their needs."
"Sergeant Peter Damon is one of those veterans. He lost both arms during a Blackwater helicopter explosion, and returned to find that with his prosthetic arms, he can create beauty."
photos courtesy Senator John Kerry
Comments (3)
Posted by Kerryvisionary | November 7, 2007 9:57 AM
Thanks for this post and for the report and photos from Karen Bradley. I've been really wanting to see Peter Damon's actual paintings and this was my first chance!
Posted by Carol Evans | November 9, 2007 9:28 PM
I saw some of your work on the news tonight and that first pencil sketch of the unknown Marine is my son, LCPL Matthew Stover...that picture has been all over the world...it was taken after the battle of Nasiriyah...I would love to talk to you about the picture and how it came about, if you or someone you know would like to call me...my number is 417-683-3039...I live in Ava, MO and my son lives in Squires, MO about 12 miles from here. Please reply to this so I know you at least got it...I am so curious!! Thank you for your time and God Bless You for the sacrifice you made for my freedom...Carol Evans
Posted by Marsha Fairbanks | November 9, 2007 11:13 PM
I watched a news story on our local channel (CBS) of Sgt. P. Damon and his art work. I am in awe. I also want him to know that the Marine he sketched in either pencil or charcoal is my nephew Lcpl. Matthew E. Stover of Squire, Missouri. That picture was taken by Getty Images photographer Joe Readle. It aired on March 24, 2003 after the invasion of An Nasiriyah.