WARNER ROBINS, Ga. — Shaun Ripley says he began the process of enlisting in the Army at the age of 17.
"In January of 1990, we deployed to Saudi Arabia for Desert Storm and Desert Shield," he recalled. "In August of 2008 to 2009, I deployed to Iraq."
He left the military and then reenlisted, serving 14 years overall.
He might have done more but, "I was injured," he said while staring off into the distance for several seconds.
You can see that he is reliving the pain all over again.
"We might not be able to convey what we're feeling through words we're speaking, but you can convey a lot of emotion through drawing or painting," he said.
He draws and photographs what he knows -- a lot of choppers and military scenes.
"No matter who you're feeling or what you're going though, there is somebody out there that will understand it," he reasoned.
Shaun has had a dream for three years of putting an art show together for veterans, and now that dream is becoming a reality. It's going to happen November 12 at the Fine Art Society of Middle Georgia. Whether you think you have talent or you don't think you have talent, he wants every man or woman who wore the uniform to come out.
Every veteran can pick up a brush and paint a mask. Shaun says it represents that veterans are always hiding their emotions.
"It's just something most people won't understand unless they've been there," he said.
The 51-year-old realizes for some art is a hard sell, but the show is about reaching out.
"Knowing there are people like me that will sit down with you a couple of hours and help you understand how to express yourself through art," he said.