Journey of a Veteran Unveiled at McGuire

by Brigette Kelly 03.2022

Artist Ed Trask, known for his signature murals that adorn exterior walls throughout the city, most recently completed a work with fellow artist Jason Ford that honors American veterans. Unveiled last month at Hunter Holmes McGuire Hospital, this stunning mural shines a searing light on the tribulations of veterans. 

 “The Central Virginia VA Health Care System has been looking for an opportunity to partner with folks in the community for a mural for a long time,” says David Hodge, who heads up the public affairs office at the VA Hospital. “The piece intends to create a sense of unity and will bring enrichment to the patients’ lives.” 

The mural illustrates the lives and stories of servicemen and servicewomen. “As a muralist, my most important responsibility is being a storyteller,” Ed Trask tells me during a recent interview. 

To create his portion of the mural, which is titled Journey of a Veteran, Ed interviewed multiple veterans to discover what they went through during combat, and how these experiences affected them. 

Ed took iconic symbols from each veteran’s storyline and incorporated them into the mural. 

One veteran Ed interviewed provides wheelchairs for the Paralympics Games. Another teaches martial arts for those in an East End community. And a veteran who served as a nurse in the Vietnam war now volunteers at McGuire.

 “This is what heroism and patriotism means,” says Ed.

He also describes the difficulties of recreating the veterans’ experiences on canvas, “I don’t know their world,” says Ed. “I don’t know what it’s like to go to war, I don’t know what it’s like to be faced with a life or death situation like all of them have.” Ed adds that working on this piece was a humbling experience for him. “I took a lot of things for granted,” he says. 

Ed Trask asked Jason Ford, a good friend of his and fellow muralist, to help him bring this art to life. The two met several years ago while working on a project created by Mending Walls—a public art organization that brings people from different backgrounds and cultures together. 

“We went to the VA to conceptualize a vision,” says Jason. “I wanted it to be meaningful, not only to myself, but for those who are a part of this process, and for the people who will see it on display.” 

Jason says the opportunity to speak with real-life heroes was rewarding. “A lot of these stories go untold and it’s going to affect you,” he says.

As he interviewed the veterans, he noticed they all shared at least two traits—humility and selflessness.  

“They don’t see themselves as heroes,” says Jason Ford. “They’re helping people, out of love and respect for the brotherhood and sisterhood within these individual branches (of the Armed Forces).”