In the beginning they wanted tattoos that identified them by name, religion or simply as soldiers, as Freeman did, says tattoo artist Scott LaGrange, 26, of Forever Tattoos in Evans Mills.
"That's when their religion comes out," LaGrange says. "Crosses, bottles of booze, hearts with 'Mom' and 'Dad.' "
A former Marine and veteran of Afghanistan, LaGrange says those who return are requesting skulls, patriotic phrases or memorials to fallen comrades.
"It's more what had happened to them," he says.
Returning troops often want tattoos to express their intense feelings, or even to blot them out — if only for a short time.
"A little bit of pain makes you forget about a whole load of it," says Joe Robbins, 37, owner Empyre Tattoo.
As a tattoo person, it's always nice to see an article that puts tattoos in a positive light as it still has that stigma of bikers and ruffians to most people, even though my generation is probably more tattooed then any American generation prior. This article just reminds me that I need to go see my guy next month, it's been far too long.
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