Corley, whose specialty is photography and images, makes commemorative posters for vets, personally interviewing them and collecting pictures that help tell their stories.

“The idea to make veterans commemorative posters just came to me when I was asked by the Montrose Center for the Arts what I could contribute to the community as an artist,” Corley said. “I wanted to help veterans create something that would remind them of the good parts of their military service and all the things they benefited from during that service. I also wanted to honor their service.”

Corley has always had a special place in her heart for veterans. As a child, her father would take their family to visit her uncle in the Sawtelle Veterans Hospital in Los Angeles every Sunday. Her uncle was a World War I veteran and never recovered from being gassed in the trenches in France. He inspired young Corley with his stories.

The commemorative posters Corley creates are 11-by-17 inches. She personally interviews the veterans and helps them fill out a questionnaire, which asks their name, rank, branch of service and years of service. Corley asks where they were stationed and about their medals and honors. Some of her questions dig deeper, such as, “What five words immediately come to mind when you think of your war experience?” She incorporates these words into the poster.

She listens to the veterans’ stories and begins to get a feeling for what they wish to remember. Then Corley invites the veterans to bring her photos of themselves, their war buddies, any medals and honors they received and anything else they might want to include. She carefully copies their photos and medals and creates a unique poster that expresses their personal military heritage.

“The uniqueness of each poster touches my heart,” Corley said.

Corley said she learns more about the fortunes and trials of military service every time she works with a veteran.

Last year she contacted Welcome Home Montrose (WHM), a unique veterans’ alliance community initiative that her husband, Ronald, a Korean War vet,

Welcome Home Montrose Executive Director Emily Smith, left, visits with Joyce Corley, right, about the commemorative posters she creates for veterans at the Warrior Resource Center.

is involved with. WHM was delighted to co-sponsor the project, which is now one of many services offered to more than 1,230 veterans at the Warrior Resource Center, the organization’s community-based center located at 11 S. Park Ave.

Corley remembers each and every veteran and the special poster she created for them. One of her fondest memories is of Staff Sgt. Jeffrey Lynn Emert of the Army National Guard, known as “Bike Man,” who passed away in January. She made his wife a special heart poster because she told her “he was my heart.”

Corley encourages the veterans to frame the posters and hang them in a place of honor. She said she feels extremely proud to be able to give this gift to veterans.

Veterans wishing to have a commemorative poster made may call Welcome Home Montrose at 765-2210 to schedule an appointment with Corley.