Portraits of Courage: A Commander in Chief's Tribute to America's Warriors

Blurb

A vibrant collection of oil paintings and stories by President George W. Bush honoring the sacrifice and courage of America's military veterans. With forewords by former first lady Laura Bush and General Peter Pace, 16th chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

Our men and women in uniform have faced down enemies and liberated millions and, in doing so, showed the true compassion of our nation. Often they return home with injuries - both visible and invisible - that intensify the challenges of transitioning into civilian life. In addition to these burdens, research shows a civilian-military divide. Seventy-one percent of Americans say they have little understanding of the issues facing veterans, and veterans agree: 84 percent say that the public has "little awareness" of the issues facing them and their families.

This meticulously produced volume includes the inspiring stories of veterans, written by the president. Listeners can hear the stories of those who answered the nation's call and learn from their bravery on the battlefield, their journeys to recovery, and the continued leadership and contributions they are making as civilians. It is President Bush's desire that these stories of courage and resilience will honor our men and women in uniform, highlight their family and caregivers who bear the burden of their sacrifice, and help Americans understand how we can support our veterans and empower them to succeed.

President Bush will donate his net author proceeds from Portraits of Courage to the George W. Bush Presidential Center, a nonprofit organization whose Military Service Initiative works to ensure that post-9/11 veterans and their families make successful transitions to civilian life, with a focus on gaining meaningful employment and overcoming the invisible wounds of war.