Video

As we celebrate America's 250th, we want to shine a light on and honor the brave men and women who have fought to protect the freedoms we enjoy every day. It was a nod to The 22 Project.

This dance tells the story of our military service members returning home from war and the battles they continue to face long after their service ends. No matter where they served or what they experienced, many carry invisible wounds that others cannot see.

The box represents the mental and emotional prison that can keep them trapped by memories, trauma, and experiences from their time in service. The rope symbolizes the struggle to break free from those memories—the reality that no matter how hard they try to move forward, they can often feel tethered to the pain, fear, and hardships they have endured.

But more than anything, we wanted this piece to end with hope.

The dancers ultimately break free from the chains and overcome the confines of the box, symbolizing strength, resilience, and the possibility of healing. Yet the ropes remain present, reminding us that healing is not a destination but a daily journey. The scars may never fully disappear, but they do not have to define the future.

Above all, this piece is a reminder to our veterans and active-duty service members that they are not alone. There is hope, there is support, and there are people who care. Their battles matter, their stories matter, and their sacrifices will never be forgotten.

We want to personally thank Mike Hensley, Jeff Weatherford, Ralph Willingham, Heidi Sutphin, Peggy Willingham, Charles Daniels, and Scott Keheley for taking the time to be a part of this piece for us!As we celebrate America's 250th, we want to shine a light on and honor the brave men and women who have fought to protect the freedoms we enjoy every day. It was a nod to The 22 Project.

This dance tells the story of our military service members returning home from war and the battles they continue to face long after their service ends. No matter where they served or what they experienced, many carry invisible wounds that others cannot see.

The box represents the mental and emotional prison that can keep them trapped by memories, trauma, and experiences from their time in service. The rope symbolizes the struggle to break free from those memories—the reality that no matter how hard they try to move forward, they can often feel tethered to the pain, fear, and hardships they have endured.

But more than anything, we wanted this piece to end with hope.

The dancers ultimately break free from the chains and overcome the confines of the box, symbolizing strength, resilience, and the possibility of healing. Yet the ropes remain present, reminding us that healing is not a destination but a daily journey. The scars may never fully disappear, but they do not have to define the future.

Above all, this piece is a reminder to our veterans and active-duty service members that they are not alone. There is hope, there is support, and there are people who care. Their battles matter, their stories matter, and their sacrifices will never be forgotten.

We want to personally thank Mike Hensley, Jeff Weatherford, Ralph Willingham, Heidi Sutphin, Peggy Willingham, Charles Daniels, and Scott Keheley for taking the time to be a part of this piece for us!