Eyes of Freedom

Make the Invisible Seen: The Eyes of Freedom VR Experience

A transformative VR experience designed to honor service, acknowledge hidden wounds, and foster healing across generations.

He stood in front of Silent Battle for several minutes before saying anything.

When he finally touched the sculpture, something inside him softened. The guard he had carried for years slipped. Emotion rose — unexpected, uncontained — and he allowed it.

“That’s what it feels like.”

And in that moment, he was no longer alone.

That is why this work matters.

For years, Eyes of Freedom Traveling Memorial has honored the service and sacrifice of our military through the art of Anita Miller. In addition to the portraits of the fallen of Lima Company, the heart of this mission is Silent Battle, a sculpture created to honor the hidden wounds of war — especially post-traumatic stress and the battles that continue long after service ends.

Now, we are taking this mission into a new dimension.

We have created an immersive Virtual Reality experience that will allow people to step inside the stories of our fallen in a deeply human and transformative way.

Rather than simply viewing the sculpture and portraits of the Eyes of Freedom, participants will enter an environment where they can encounter the stories of the fallen service members who perished in Iraq. By feeling their presence, visitors will come away with a deeper understanding of the service and sacrifice our military and first responders give every day.

This vision is becoming possible through the leadership and collaboration of Pat Clark at the University of Colorado Boulder. His expertise in immersive media and his belief in this mission are helping translate fine art and lived experience into a powerful virtual environment that can travel anywhere.

And that matters.

Because many of the people who most need this experience cannot always travel to a gallery or museum. Veterans in hospitals and VA facilities. Individuals in hospice care. Families in rural communities. Students who have never met someone who has served. Caregivers searching for a way to begin difficult conversations.

The VR experience allows Eyes of Freedom and Silent Battle to reach them — wherever they are.

What's Already Been Accomplished:

Project Trailer:

• High-resolution 3D scanning of the sculpture and exhibit elements

• VR programming and software development

• Environmental design and immersive storytelling production

• Professional audio narration and sound design

• Editing, testing, and refinement of the user experience

Now, The Next Phase and What Your Contribution Will Support

Your gift will directly fund the essential components needed to create, complete, and distribute this immersive experience, including:

• VR headsets and mobile presentation equipment

• Travel and outreach to hospitals, hospices, schools, and veteran communities

• Ongoing technical support and updates to ensure accessibility and longevity

This is not simply a digital version of an exhibit. It is a bridge — between civilian and veteran, between seen and unseen, between silence and understanding. It expands the reach of this mission beyond physical walls and into places where empathy and acknowledgment are deeply needed.

Every dollar helps transform this from an idea into a tangible, transportable experience that can serve thousands of people across the country. Your gift is tax deductible.

We also invite you to consider making your gift in memory of someone you love. Tribute donations may be dedicated to a service member, veteran, or loved one whose story continues to live in your heart. Their name will be honored within the VR experience itself (EXAMPLE BELOW) and permanently placed on our online Memory Wall — ensuring their legacy is seen, remembered, and carried forward by all who encounter this work. JUST LET US KNOW IN YOUR DONATION WHO THE GIFT IS GIVEN IN MEMORY OF.

If this mission speaks to you, please consider making a gift today — at any level — and sharing this campaign with others who believe in honoring service and acknowledging the hidden wounds of war.

Together, we can ensure these stories are not only preserved — but experienced in ways that foster understanding, connection and healing...