Iraq Soldiers

Though many people prefer to support troops by sending commodities or writing letters, using artwork is a great way to support troops in Iraq is by using art. Even for people who have little or no artistic background, this can be an extremely touching way to personalize letters to Iraq soldiers, or to raise awareness to support troops. If you have any inclination toward supporting Iraq soldiers, the following suggestions are ways to incorporate your artistic abilities with this support, in a helpful, creative way.

1. Artistic letters

Sending letters to Iraq soldiers is a great way to support troops, and a common act. While sending letters is a great practice, sending a little piece of artwork, or a highly decorated letter can be even more touching. Better yet, if a drawing can be included with the letter that will help the Iraq soldiers to remember easier or happier times, this can be a great way to support troops in an artistic way.

2. Portraits

A growing trend among artists looking to support troops in Iraq is to paint portraits of deceased soldiers, or photograph current soldiers, usually free of charge to give to the families of these Iraq soldiers. These are always appreciated, and with the number of Iraq soldiers that this military operation has included, there is no shortage of soldiers’ families to appreciate this work.

3. Artwork to support troops

In times of military action, any act that can support troops is welcomed. A great way to do this is to create artwork that will support troops in Iraq, such as posters that will promote contributions or images of Iraq soldiers that raise awareness and sympathies that lead to increased support for Iraq soldiers. Alternately, murals or collages promoting troop support done in either public areas or personal spaces, and possibly sold to raise money for further support would be a great way to contribute.

4. Personalized effects

Iraq soldiers absolutely need plenty of different personal effects, food, and hygiene products. A great way to support troops would be to send over some of these personal effects that have been even more personalized. For instance, if sending over a case to hold some items, consider decorating the case. If sending mirrors, consider decorating the frames. No doubt plenty of these everyday items could be decorated in a variety of ways to make them extremely personalized. Any sort of personal touch is likely to be greatly appreciated in the emotional support troops would undoubtedly feel.

Support Troops

Right now one of the most common forms of “war art” made specifically to support troops is portraits. These portraits are often drawings or paintings of fallen soldiers that are done pro bono by local artists and then shipped to the families of the fallen soldiers. However, there are a number of different groups that are currently trying to support troops by disseminating paintings both of these fallen soldiers, all in different mediums, and of veterans, and to raise awareness of the troubles of war. All of the following projects look to support troops worldwide, and honor those who have given their lives, though they are just a small taste of the support troops have been receiving from the citizens of America.

1. Soldier Portraits

This project looks to photograph portraits of soldiers, but does so on a collodion wet plate in the same process used to document most of the Civil War. Each soldier receives a copy of his or her portrait, while the rest of the exhibit travels to different galleries promoting the project and raising awareness, both for fallen soldiers, and, ultimately, the veterans who come home, all in order to support troops in America and abroad.

2. Fallen Soldiers Tribute/http://www.soldiersportraits-mwilcox.net/

This tribute is run by Martha Wilcox who does watercolors of fallen soldiers and sends them to the families of these fallen soldiers at no cost. She does them, she says, “as a personal tribute and expression of admiration and gratitude.” She goes onto explain that while she cannot support troops in every way, this is what she can do.

3. The American Fallen Soldiers Project

This project is another one of those that looks to provide free portraits of fallen soldiers to the families of said fallen soldiers, in order to support troops. This artist paints these portraits of fallen soldiers to commemorate their lives and their sacrifices, he says.

4. Honor the Fallen

This organization makes quilts remembering fallen soldiers, either alone or with the help of the family and friends of said soldiers. Its aim is to remember, and to support troops still stationed in Iraq and Afghanistan. These quilts for fallen soldiers are displayed all around the country as a tribute to the sacrifice given.

5. I Will Soar Again

This page looks to support troops by being a place where messages can be left by citizens around the world, expressing gratitude and respect to fallen soldiers, veterans, and to soldiers still serving.