George W. Bush always knew he had a dry wit and could make others laugh. However, at 66, he became an unlikely artist who sought to fill his days of retirement with a meaningful project: a tribute to the wounded American heroes from the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.

President Bush (2001 - 2009) served the United States in the most violent period in modern times, 9/11. Yet he was so touched by the stories of men and women who defended our country on foreign soil, he wanted to make others aware of their personal courage to continue their lives despite their horrific injuries.

Here is how he personalized their stories. In his portraits he gives special attention to the eyes of each hero -- sad but steady eyes focused forward. Only a few of the heroes are smiling; many are pictured with prosthetic limbs.

Bush writes their stories in an easy, conversational style describing the incident which injured them, how they dealt with the recovery, and what they have been able to accomplish. Ever so softly, he includes how he met them and has stayed in touch. He ends each commentary with a summary of why they are deserving of a tribute.

The only portrait with Bush in it is the Melissa Stockwell tribute. Melissa and Bush are dancing and smiling, except she is wearing a prosthetic leg. Her story, like others is touching. As a 24 year old lieutenant she was part of a convoy in Bagdad that hit an IED. As a result, she lost her leg but not her will. Her physical recuperation enabled her to learn to ski on one leg, her focus on helping others caused her to study prosthetics in college, and her leadership in the community assisted her as she co-founded the Dare2tri organization for disabled athletes.

We know Bush is fond of Melisssa because she brought her husband and her new baby to meet him in Dallas and because she was included in the dedication program of the Bush Presidential Center in 2013. It was imperative that her story be depicted with joy of fulfillment.

Portraits of Courage may be a coffee table book but its collection of stories and hand painted portraits of American heroes are inspiring as they offer a unique view of American heroes going forward with their lives.

Portraits of Courage

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