‘Always Lost’ memorial exhibit at Minden Inn

A Douglas County landmark is displaying Western Nevada College’s contribution to the scars of war, “Always Lost: A Meditation on War.”

The nationally touring humanities exhibit, which personalizes the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan through photography and writings, opened Monday and runs through Sept. 12, at the Minden Inn, 1594 Esmeralda Ave.

The century-old building itself is a keepsake that was designed by esteemed Nevada architect Frederic Joseph DeLongchamps.

The exhibition is part of the Nevada Sesquicentennial tour sponsored by the Nevada Department of Veterans Services.

Viewing is free to the public, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, with expanded hours to 8 p.m. on Aug, 28, Sept. 4 and Sept. 11.

An opening ceremony for the exhibit, which included the Reno Color Guard, was Monday.

The core of the exhibit is the Wall of the Dead, which includes the names and photographs of the more than 6,800 American casualties in the two wars.

The exhibit also includes 2004 Pulitzer Prize-winning combat photos, as well as literary work from Professor Emeritus Marilee Swirczek’s creative writing classes at WNC, veterans and their families, members of the Lone Mountain Writers and other contributors.

“Always Lost” has been featured at universities, colleges, museums, libraries, art galleries, conference centers and veterans organizations throughout the United States.

The exhibition was recently shown at the Disabled American Veterans and Auxiliary National Convention at Bally’s Las Vegas Hotel and Casino.

For more information and a video about “Always Lost,” go to www.wnc.edu/always_lost. For Nevada 150 events, go to www.nevada150.org.