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Gold Star Mom and Columbia, SC artist, Suzy Shealy will be selling her “Iraq Series” Prints at the Courtyard Art Gallery, 149 1/2 East Bay St. 5 - 8pm this Friday, May 6th in Charleston, SC. All proceeds will be donated to the Independence Fund to benefit our severely injured troops via the Lt Dan Weekend.<!--more-->

"My initial feeling when I got the news that Suzy was planning to do this was one of amazement," said Steve Danyluk, founder of the Independence Fund. "Here is a lady who probably has gone through the most painful experience anyone can imagine, loosing your first-born son, and has turned it into something healing and beautiful that will benefit others. It really is just overwhelming."

News of Usama Bin Laden’s death this past week has caused Ms. Shealy to reflect on her sons sacrifice and the men and women he served with. Shealy has found art to be therapeutic in dealing with her loss and has volunteered to lead a art workshop this September at the Lowcountry’s Palm Key retreat where more than one hundred severely wounded veterans and caregivers will be staying during the four day long “Lt. Dan Weekend,” (<a href="http://www.ldw2.com/">www.LDW2.com</a>).

"We are thrilled to have someone like Suzy coming to Palm Key to lead an art therapy workshop, and this is such a beautiful and relaxing setting for it," said Palm Key property steward, Judy Rigg.

This year again, the Lt Dan Weekend will be headlined by a benefit concert for the troops performed by well known entertainer, Gary Sinise and his Lt Dan Band on Friday, September 16th at 8:30pm.  Mr. Sinise has also generously volunteered to serve as the Grand Marshal in Beaufort's 300th Birthday parade taking place the following morning.

"Last year was such a wonderful event for us," said one attendee. "Having so many injured veterans, in one place, being supported by the community was just amazing."

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For more on Shealy and her art, watch this recent CBS News report: <a href="http://www.wltx.com/video/default.aspx?bctid=928495703001#/Mother+Reflects+on+Son%27s+Service/928495703001">http://www.wltx.com/video/default.aspx?bctid=928495703001#/Mother+Reflects+on+Son%27s+Service/928495703001</a> or visit <a href="http://www.suzyshealy.com/">www.suzyshealy.com</a>.

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