Since its inception in 1983, the Upcountry History Museum has committed to honoring the sacrifices, courage,
and patriotism of the men and women who have worn a military uniform. Dedicated to collecting, preserving,
and disseminating the legacy and dignity of all United States military veterans, the museum shares the stories of America’s conflicts.

The Museum annually honors those who served and their families through military exhibitions, recording and
preserving local veteran’s oral histories, participating in the national Blue Star Museum program, delivering
military history lectures, and hosting Veteran’s Day and Armed Forces Day events.

The Museum, in partnership with the Hunterdon Healthcare Foundation and the 52 Reasons to Love A Vet
charitable organization, will host the national traveling exhibition Love A Vet: Honoring Our Veterans, July 6,
2019 – January 5, 2020.

Through art and artifacts the Love A Vet exhibition, and its related programming, will encourage the public to
appreciate the sacrifices made by veterans and their families and educate on the challenging issues that
veterans face upon their re-entry into civilian life.

The exhibit features 40 paintings, drawings, and prints by a diverse group of contemporary illustrators; many of
whom have been involved in the military themselves. Nationally recognized artists represented in the exhibit
include Gail Anderson, art director for Rolling Stone magazine; Steve Brodner, political cartoonist; and Mike
Wimmer, illustrator for Disney’s Lion King. Upstate artist Tina LeMay, is featured in the exhibition. A Clemson
University Alum and Creative Director for Student Affairs at Clemson University, LeMay’s contribution to the
exhibition is dedicated to the sacrifices made by military personnel and their families.

The Love A Vet project was founded by Ella Rue, an award-winning graphic designer and artist, whose son is a
veteran of both the Iraq and Afghan wars. Ms. Rue established the 52 Reasons to Love a Vet nonprofit and its
companion traveling exhibition to generate awareness and to help veterans further their education and assist
with medical, dental, or mental health resources following their return home.

A primary goal of the project is to raise an additional $10,000 specifically for underwriting museum admission
for veterans, active duty military personnel and their families during the exhibit’s 6-month display.