Paintings show 23 from Ohio who died in Iraq war

CINCINNATI (AP) — Three-year-old Christian Kreuter will see a life-size image of the father he never had the chance to know when he and his mother make their first visit to a memorial honoring 23 Ohio-based service members killed in Iraq.

Christian’s father, Sgt. David Kreuter of Miami Township in suburban Cincinnati, was one of the fallen members of Columbus-based Lima Company. The company — part of the 3rd Battalion, 25th Marine Regiment, 4th Marine Division — was devastated by attacks in Iraq, including a roadside bomb that killed nine Marines in 2005.

The life-size paintings of the 22 Marines and a Navy corpsman go on exhibit today at the Cincinnati Museum Center after several months at the Ohio Statehouse.

Christian’s mother, Chrystina Kreuter, said she was not ready to view the memorial in Columbus but will take her son to today’s opening.

“Christian may not understand everything, but I think it’s important that he has a chance to see this so he can look back one day and know he was a part of this and that so many people cared,” said Kreuter, 28, of nearby Mason.

Kreuter said she saw the painting of her husband in artist Anita Miller’s studio and was amazed at how realistic it was, from the crinkle under his eye to the wedding band that she asked the artist to paint on his left hand.

“It was more than lifelike,” she said. “It was such an emotional experience that I didn’t think I was ready to go through that again, but I think I can do it now for Christian.”

David Kreuter’s sister, Kristin Kreuter, said she accompanied her parents and sister to the Columbus exhibition and said it was difficult to put the emotions she felt into words.

“We had seen the work in progress, but when you walk into the exhibit, you are looking at the Marines and they are looking at you,” said Kristin Kreuter, 26, of Miami Township. “It’s almost as if they all come to life.”

Miller, the suburban Columbus artist who created the memorial, said that is what she hopes everyone will feel when they walk into the circle of Marines — most of them smiling and in relaxed poses with scenes from Iraq as a backdrop.

Each panel features names and facts about the soldiers with a pair of combat boots and a candle in front of each painting.

Visitors to the memorial also will see a video presentation of images of the soldiers in Iraq and a Marine flag signed by Marines.