To raise awareness about veterans' suicide, notable American patriotic artist Scott LoBaido will exhibit his illuminated, traveling art installation "22-13" on the Branford town green May 6 through May 7. Branford will be the only Connecticut site, and the final stop, for the artist's installation tour of the nation's original 13 colonies.

LoBaido uses his art to support veterans' causes. Prior to launching "22-13," he brought national attention to his work by filling rooftops of veterans' organizations and other buildings in all 50 states with paintings representing the American flag.

Most recently, LoBaido developed "22-13" as a traveling exhibit to help drive home some staggering statistics – between 20 to 22 veterans die by their own hand every day, according to the U.S. Dept. of Veterans Affairs. Branford resident Carolyn Sires, a physical therapist who works with veterans, recently became a certified suicide prevention watch and reporter in an effort to assist people from many walks of life considering suicide, including veterans. When Sires learned about "22-13", she reached out to LoBaido to organize the Branford visit.

Now, Sires hopes the public will support LoBaido's effort, by attending a special Branford installation ceremony set for 7 p.m. Monday, May 6 at the "22-13" installation beside the Veterans Memorial Garden (under the flag pole) on the Town Green. LoBaido will be welcomed by First Selectman Jamie Cosgrove, an American Legion/VFW Honor Guard and others, with patriotic music provided Stony Creek Fife & Drum Corps and other performers.  Speakers will include Lobaido, Sires and others discussing the issues and raising the call for better, faster action to address the crisis of veterans' suicide, and the underlying issue of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).

LoBaido, a Staten Island, NY artist, has been on the road with "22-13" since March to bring attention to these important issues. Donations to support LoBaido's "22-13" tour can be made via https://www.gofundme.com/battle-to-preserve-patriotism or by clicking on the "Help Scott Continue His Mission" link here

Now in the home stretch of the tour, with a May 1 – May 2 stop in Allentown, PA, ahead of his Branford visit, LoBaido posted on his Facebook page on April 27 (@scott.lobaido) that he was hoping to raise $1,500 - $2,000 to help him complete these "two important last stops."

"If you can help me with this last stretch, please donate asap," LoBaido's post reads, in part. "You have no idea how much this project is helping this cause! Best damn thing I have ever done [and] many other states want it. Thanks, SL."

LoBaido's outsized "22-13" sculpture, wrapped in a red, white and blue representation of the Colonial American flag, reshapes the number 22 so that the digits face one another, with the negative space between them creating an empty heart. Its white stripes are filled images of U.S. soldiers at war. Twenty-two empty combat boots, painted gold, circle the base of the sculpture; and LoBadio also situates 22 "lost soul" human figures of wire mesh at different positions around the sculpture. At dark, LED lights in the installation and figures illuminate "22-13" through the night.

The Branford installation will be illuminated May 6 and May 7 from 7:45 p.m. to midnight, and also will be on view all day on the Branford town green on Main Street on Tuesday, May 7.

LoBaido began his "22-13" art installation tour in Savannah, GA on March 9. When the tour concludes in Branford on May 7, he will have brought "22-13" to SC, NC, VA, MD, DE, NJ,NY, RI,ME, NH, PA and CT in a span of ten weeks.

Veteran Suicide Lifeline Information: For help, call 1-800-273-8255 or visit https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org/help-yourself/veterans