My name is Josh King.  I’m a retired infantry First Sgt, an artist and Emmy award-winning TV Producer.  I spent 23 years in service and when a lot of us leave we seek a new mission…. some type of relevancy within our new world.  For me, I missed the common mission of the Army and its ability to bring people from all walks of life into a single cause.    You build friendships and mutual respect relationships that last a lifetime.  During the fall of 2019, I was able to work on a project where we interviewed Veterans and family members who have attempted suicide or have lost a loved one.  As their stories unfolded and I listened to the pain, struggle and eventual healing, I felt drawn to express what I heard from them in a piece of art.  I have created many paintings and prints focusing on my experiences and those of my peers but this time I wanted something different.  In the end, I created a sculpture that began on a digital canvas but in the end was a physical representation of “The weight” is carried.  The weight of our experiences, our successes and failures, our friends taken too early and our ongoing attempt to work through a mind that often just doesn’t want to forget.  In the sculpt I have a Veteran, and all that is holding him up is the bar which represents an all too common solution.  A solution that really isn’t.  On his back are layers and layers of equipment.  Items he carries every day in his mind.  Equipment from buddies that were lost, from bullets sent with hesitation and bullets sent with no hesitation.  Helmets with no home and bedrolls that no longer help you rest.  In front of the bar out of his sight are the faces of those friends who occupy his mind.  Forever in their gear and surrounding the IED’s that took them away. 

 

The purpose of this is to continue to raise awareness of Veterans who suffer from Depression, PTSD, TBI, and families who also suffer with them.

 

I’m asking you to help by donating and helping purchase 4 Art Pedestals allowing this sculpture and others to be displayed while bringing attention to the problem.  Each pedestal will have a lockable covering and be portable so we can take them to events and continue the conversation.  All contributors will be thanked and their name displayed along with the Art.

 

In advance, I would like to thank you for your support.  One soldier lost is too many and if we can keep this as a priority and get those in need the help they deserve it will be a win for us all.