Photo courtesy Mark Russell, Buffalo Canvas.

Memorial Day is coming up, the day we celebrate those who made the ultimate sacrifice in the service of their country. If you are in the Buffalo, N.Y., area this weekend, there is an installation at the city’s Central Library of the Buffalo and Erie County Library that features a series of photographs taken by Armed Services veterans. With a special focus on spreading awareness of the struggles veterans face with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), The Odyssey Project was created and curated by photojournalist Brendan Bannon. The installation features photographs from 42 veterans, printed and installed by Buffalo Canvas, a display graphics and signage provider. The project had special resonance for owner and founder Mark Russell.

“Both of my brothers and the majority of my family are in the Army,” said Russell. “I would be, as well, but I’m actually deaf in my right ear, so I’m ineligible. We adopted my wife’s niece, whose father was a Marine killed in Iraq. So we have a really strong personal connection to veterans and their organizations.” Brendon Bannon had been familiar with Buffalo Canvas’ work through a recent “healing arts” project that was completed for the John R. Oishei Children's Hospital, and cold-called Russell about The Odyssey Project. “The moment he told me about it, I was a hundred percent hooked,” Russell said.