Faces of Veterans Event

Ayer Cultural Council to Present "Faces of Veterans" Exhibit and Reception January 10, 2020

AYER, MA: There is no question that America is the land of the brave.  It’s shown every day in the news in updates about what’s happening all over the world and how American’s are doing their part to ensure safety and security in our homeland and abroad.  More often than not, you’ll hear about men and women doing their duty, but how often can you actually meet these heroes, shake their hands, and hear their stories right from their mouths?  On January 10, 2020 you can, when the Ayer Cultural Council brings the photographic exhibit “Faces of Veterans,” featuring images and narratives of some of our local heroes.  The event will run in Ayer’s Great Hall from 6:00 to 9:30pm - one night only.
 
“I got the idea for this project when I saw a group of Vietnam Veterans that met each morning for coffee at our local McDonalds,” said Bahe, who has three uncles who served in the Air Force and the Navy.  “As I photographed each one and heard their stories, it became important to me that I needed share them with the world. It became a labor of love. Not every one of them is a combat veteran, but each of them served our country and deserve our respect. I have a huge amount of love and respect for these women and men in my show.”
 
Bret Bahe began his love of photography as a freshman in high school being one of the staff photographers for the school newspaper and yearbook. He attended The Colorado Institute of Art in Denver.
 
Noted Bahe, “I have been thinking lately that people just don’t realize why we have the freedoms in this country that we do. Or it’s taken for granted. Women and men have served for hundreds of years to protect those freedoms. They all have a story behind them. They willingly gave of their time to serve our country and I believe that deserves recognition.”
 
There will be light refreshments, speakers and exhibit programs to help follow along as you browse through each of Mr. Bahe’s photographs. Admission is free, though if you are in a position to do so, donations are welcomed to the Gary Sinise Foundation for Veterans. If you are unable to attend but would like to make a donation regardless, please visit https://donate.garysinisefoundation.org/fundraiser/2444769.
 
The Great Hall at Town Hall, One Main Street, is accessible to individuals with handicaps. All are welcome. 
 
The Ayer Cultural Council, a local agency supported by the Massachusetts Cultural Council, a state agency, has a mission to promote, nurture and maintain the vitality of the cultural resources within the Ayer community. With the annual grant from the State, their role is to distribute the funding to support various activities that would enhance cultural awareness in the Ayer community. It is also part of their mission to bring cultural enlightenment to its community. The wide range of supported activities includes a broad variety of art forms, ongoing work of individual artists and writers, collaborative projects on literature, and historical as well as environmental education.  For more information about the ACC, visit https://www.ayer.ma.us/cultural-council.
 
The Gary Sinise Foundation serves our nation by honoring our defenders, veterans, first responders, their families and those in need. They do this by creating and supporting unique programs designed to entertain, educate, inspire, strengthen and build communities. For more information, visit www.garysinisefoundation.org