An art exhibit featuring depictions of local veterans’ war experiences debuted Friday in the Lake County Circuit Clerk’s office.
The exhibit features collages showing wartime pictures and mementos from World War II, the Korean War and the Vietnam War, created by members of Veterans of Lake Barrington Shores with the assistance of artists.
After speaking to the group last Veterans Day, Circuit Court Clerk Keith Brin said he saw the collages and asked if they could be displayed in his office for people throughout the county to enjoy.
The group was glad to comply.
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“This is beautiful. It’s unbelievable,” said Tom Gilder, a Vietnam Army veteran who serves as the group’s secretary. “These would be sitting in a closet if he didn’t do it. We love to share.”
John Betzhold, president of Veterans of Lake Barrington Shores, said the group has about 160 members, and that the collages were done at different times throughout the past 10 years.
On a somber note, group members noted that 14 of the 24 veterans who participated in making the World War II collages in 2011 have since died, emphasizing the importance of making their experiences available to the general public.
“This was an excellent opportunity for the release of these works to the public,” Betzhold said.
Betzhold said the group is a chartered non-profit organization that holds Veterans Day and Memorial Day ceremonies in their community and holds local activities for veterans.
The collages will be on display in the circuit clerk’s office through mid-May, Brin said.
“The people of Lake County should see this. These are Lake County veterans,” Brin said Friday during a reception for the veterans.
Brin said his office, which sees hundreds of visitors each day, is a great forum for the works.
“It’s an opportunity to highlight the value of veterans as Lake County citizens,” Brin said.
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