A thousand cranes for veterans

Mary Campbell, left, and Sharon Anastas, both suicide prevention coordinators at the Oscar G. Johnson VA Medical Center in Iron Mountain, show the display of 1,014 folded origami cranes placed this past weekend in the window of the Braumart Theatre in downtown Iron Mountain. The cranes — folded by Oscar G. Johnson VA staff, veterans and community members, some with personal notes written inside — are to raise awareness about Suicide Prevention Awareness Month and veterans who may be struggling. It is said that 1,000 folded cranes represent healing and recovery. After being at the theatre for the weekend, the cranes can be viewed today through Thursday at the Dickinson County Library in Iron Mountain, Friday through Sunday at Tadych’s Family Foods, Sept. 20 to 26 at the Northern Lights YMCA in Iron Mountain, Sept. 27 to Oct. 5 at Bay College West in Iron Mountain and Oct. 6 to 29 at Bonifas Arts Center in Escanaba. In the months to come, these cranes will be mailed to local veterans as messages of hope and recovery. For more information, contact Campbell at 906-774-3300, ext. 32541. (Betsy Bloom/Daily News photo)