Veterans inspired by creation of mural
By: Mark Gruba
Updated: March 7, 2013
A once dull wall at the Rochester Veterans Transition Center has been brought to life through imagination and hard work.
"The best part of my day is when I come through that door in the morning and I look at this, it's unbelievable what they accomplished," said Vietnam veteran and project leader David Duncan.
One veteran's idea for a mural evolved into a three dimensional seascape, with colorful fish and painted driftwood hanging from the ceiling. "At first I was a little skeptical about it," said Vietnam era veteran Jose Rivera. "But after everything was done I thought, wow, this is good."
Rivera helped paint the mural and said the process was theraputic. "It gets me out of my head," he said. "I would say it's inspiration."
The project helps Rivera and other transitioning veterans recognize their strengths, and discover talents they can use each day. Each person who contributed to the mural received an award. "Every little detail counts and inspires everybody," said Iraq and Afghanistan veteran Erick Soto.
A group of 10 veterans gathered every Wednesday morning for three months to complete the mural. The finished product will forever change the way they see the space it occupies and their potential. "it shows what people can do when they put their mind set to it," said Duncan.
On the heels of the seascape success, plans for another artistic creation are already in the works.
"The best part of my day is when I come through that door in the morning and I look at this, it's unbelievable what they accomplished," said Vietnam veteran and project leader David Duncan.
One veteran's idea for a mural evolved into a three dimensional seascape, with colorful fish and painted driftwood hanging from the ceiling. "At first I was a little skeptical about it," said Vietnam era veteran Jose Rivera. "But after everything was done I thought, wow, this is good."
Rivera helped paint the mural and said the process was theraputic. "It gets me out of my head," he said. "I would say it's inspiration."
The project helps Rivera and other transitioning veterans recognize their strengths, and discover talents they can use each day. Each person who contributed to the mural received an award. "Every little detail counts and inspires everybody," said Iraq and Afghanistan veteran Erick Soto.
A group of 10 veterans gathered every Wednesday morning for three months to complete the mural. The finished product will forever change the way they see the space it occupies and their potential. "it shows what people can do when they put their mind set to it," said Duncan.
On the heels of the seascape success, plans for another artistic creation are already in the works.
