The Denver Hospice kicks off 2014 Mask Project

Even if you have read the book Lone Survivor or have seen the movie, nothing could have prepared you for the speech given by retired Navy SEAL Hospital Corpsman 2nd Class Marcus Luttrell.

Luttrell, in his riveting keynote remarks for the inaugural Mask Project luncheon for The Denver Hospice, took the audience through his life experiences: first as a 14-year-old who was talked into training to be a SEAL by his twin brother, all the way through the hellacious mission he endured in Operation Red Wings, depicted in the book and movie.

Luttrell talked from the heart, with humor and honesty, as he told attendees about “Billy,” the trainer in Texas who pushed the boys past their limits even then. He talked about the grueling training that men go through to become a SEAL: “They find out what it is that you are afraid of and make you tackle it head on–it makes you a different person.” He did things like dive in dark waters for almost 11 hours (“I fell asleep twice underwater–that was quite an experience,” he quipped.)

Parents of his lost SEAL teammates, Donna and Corky Axelson and Cindy Dietz-Marsh and Danny Dietz Sr. listened in the audience about the horrors their sons, Sonar Technician 2nd Class Matthew Axelson and Gunner’s Mate 2nd Class Danny Dietz Jr., (along with Lt Michael Murphy) endured on that fateful 2005 mission. Luttrell told the story in graphic detail, illustrating why the book at first was “classified” and the Navy did not wish it released. Those four men acted with superhuman dedication and force, fighting for their lives, and sadly, three of them lost that battle. Luttrell told the audience, “People ask me how I can tell this story. Well, I can tell it because, through me, the memory of my lost teammates will not die.”

The luncheon kicked off The Denver Hospice’s biennial, month-long Mask Project Exhibit at Cherry Creek Shopping Center. The Mask Project was founded in 1998 to capture the imagination of Coloradans with a unique fundraiser. The art auction features custom created masks by celebrities, sports figures, politicians, artists, and recognized members of the community.

Since its inception, The Mask Project has generated $4.5 million in support for hospice and palliative care for The Denver Hospice. Take a look at the Faces of The Denver Hospice on their website for a poignant glimpse into what they do. The 500 masks gallery will be available for viewing at the Cherry Creek Shopping Center from September 8 to October 5, 2014. Over 1 million people are expected to view the gallery. The masks will be available for purchase through an on-line auction. For details, please visit www.themaskproject.org.