"Images of the Courageous" - Artists' Support for Our Troops Rapidly Spreads Across America

Newark, OH, February 21, 2009 --(PR.com)-- A group of artists, Lens-A-Hand Images, Ltd., whose main studio is in Utica, OH began creating images to honor our soldiers and soon found the images were serving a purpose far beyond anything they had imagined.

Originally the artist groups intention was to prepare artwork that would honor those that serve, for an exhibition they will be hosting on Memorial Day 2009, but the scope of their work quickly expanded. A Chaplain in Iraq explained to the artists that he believed soldiers of all faiths would find comfort in either an image of a soldier in harms way accompanied by a Guardian Angel or with the Christ at their side. Printed on something small, the images could be carried in a pocket or on their person and may provide that comfort that seems so elusive in a war zone.

One of the artist in the group, Diane Robinson, took time away from her paintings in progress and created the images described by the Chaplain. The President of Lens-A-Hand Images, Ltd., Michael Kessinger, then printed the images, accompanied by a verse, onto small pocket sized cards and dog tags and sent them off to Iraq. Initially the dog tags were intended for soldiers, but then soldier's family members and friends began requesting the tags, local businesses and stores picked them up, prayer groups requested them, and now they are seen across America on rear view mirrors, purses, key chains and backpacks and are referred to as “Prayer Reminder Tags”. Boxes of them at stores carry a poem that says,

Place this tag where it will cross your mind,
Then give a gift that will be so kind,
Offer a prayer to God above,
To protect the Soldiers, We so dearly Love.

President, Michael Kessinger stated that they never expected the response they've since received but is glad that they are providing comfort to our soldiers and those that love and support them. “At the initial exhibition where the originals and a few dog tags were on display, a little boy, about five years old, walked right up to the front of the gallery and interrupted the artist, asking if he could have one to hang on his backpack to “mind me that God is watchin' over my Daddy.” That tugged on all of our hearts and needless to say he was promptly given one.”

Mr. Kessinger went on to say that the group of artists who need to get back to their easels, cameras, and glasswork have had the “Images of the Courageous” Prayer Reminder Tags and related prints posted on the groups website to decrease the number of incoming calls they've been fielding that keeps them from pursuing their passion – the creation of new works for their upcoming exhibit.

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