Lead Patriot Guard Rider, Mike Myers, wore several hats throughout his military career. He started as an artilleryman, transitioned to a wheeled vehicle mechanic, and later served as a medic. Following his honorable discharge, he worked in retail and eventually managed more than a dozen Target stores throughout Michigan. Earlier this spring, I contacted Mike and asked him if he wanted to help organize a Patriot Guard Riders art exhibit for ArtPrize, an international art event held in Grand Rapids, Michigan. After some thought, he agreed to participate and decided to title the work, “SOS: Stories of Service.”
To create this community-based project, we organized two workshops, one at a local studio, and the other at Michigan Home for Veterans in Grand Rapids. Both workshops quickly filled up with veterans ready to decorate motorcycle helmets. To prepare for the project, Patriot Guard Riders from Detroit, northern Michigan, and all the way to Arizona, donated old helmets. We also gathered stickers, patches, green plastic soldiers, and an assortment of treasures found in junk drawers to be glued onto the helmets.
Later, to describe the work, Mike wrote:
“We asked veterans and their families to tell their Stories Of Service on motorcycle helmets to give a creative glimpse of their time in uniform. Many found the process to be cathartic and, at the same time, exciting. Several helmets display words like ‘honor,’ ‘duty,’ ‘brotherhood,’ and ‘team’ on one side. But the other side portrays much darker words like ‘war,’ ‘death,’ and ‘loss,’ or the names of their fallen friends. Throughout history, waves of patriotism come and go through this great land. World War II soldiers came home as heroes. With the turbulent waters of Vietnam, warriors returned quietly. Following 9/11, another patriotic wave flowed through the United States. But as the Gulf War dragged on, the country became less exuberant. Regardless of when you served, we want to say, ‘Thank you for your service! Thank you for putting on your uniform and taking that oath! Thank you for telling your story for SOS. God bless you.’”
SOS: Stories of Service is proudly displayed at Veterans Memorial Park as part of the Voices project. We also want to express gratitude to all the veterans who shared their healing stories on the helmets. Thanks so much for your participation.
The Voices Project at ArtPrize
September 15 to October 2, 2022
Veterans Memorial Park in Grand Rapids, Michigan
A special thanks to Kent County Veterans Services, Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency, The Home Depot, PlexiCase Inc., Moonlight Graphics Inc., Frames Unlimited, and Healing in Arts for making this collaboration of veteran stories possible.
