Our photo this week is of Japanese friar Jun Hasegawa, a member of the Justice, Peace and Integrity of Creation Commission of the Franciscans in Japan. He is reflecting at a memorial honoring soldiers who have died in Iraq and Afghanistan. This exhibit is on display at Arlington National Cemetery. The photo was taken by Octavio Duran.
Faces of the Fallen is a compelling exhibit of more than 1,300 individual portraits honoring America’s service men and women who have died in Afghanistan and Iraq. Talented artists from across the country have donated these works as their gift to a grateful nation and ultimately to the families themselves.
This unique tribute has been conceived and organized by private individuals and funded entirely with private donations. It reflects the desire, expressed in many communities and cities across the country, to honor these brave men and women. It has no official status and has no connection to any government branch or agency.
Since the exhibit opened in March 2005, an average of 1,000 visitors a day has viewed the portraits. Thanks to this overwhelming response from the families of the fallen and the American public, the exhibit will remain at the Women’s Memorial at the Arlington National Cemetery through this March 31.