For nearly three years, Scott LoBaido has been writing the number 22 on the palm of his hand with a black sharpie marker.

But now, the Staten Island artist and activist has made that number the centerpiece of his latest artistic installation, meant to raise awareness for the many United States service members who commit suicide.

"It’s for the public to come and reflect and see you know everybody’s lost somebody, everybody knows somebody who’s lost somebody," LoBaido said.

A 2012 U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs suicide report revealed that 22 veterans kill themselves a day, leading to the launch of the so-called Mission 22 movement, to raise awareness for the issue.

For LoBaido, that's meant building an installation with two large number twos, one turned backward, to create an empty heart.

The numbers are hand painted with an American flag, and a collage featuring scenes from wars ranging from the Revolutionary War to Vietnam.

22 pairs of gold painted boots will circle the display.

LoBaido is still working on completing the 22 wire mesh children who will stand nearby.

"I’m using this wire mesh to create these figures because in the daytime you have this kind of all of this haunting ghostly soul that you can still see in the daytime with the reflection," said Lobaido.

And at night, they're lit by battery-operated LED lights. But when LoBaido takes the installation on a tour of the original 13 colonies starting next month, it will stand outside of veteran hospitals and VFW posts for two days straight in each state.

He's hoping to start conversations about what can be done to help needy veterans, and to encourage people to get involved with veterans groups, and how to spot the signs of depression and suicidal tendencies.

"When it comes to the veterans, it’s an emotional thing, it’s powerful, it’s very meaningful, it’s sad, it’s humbling, and they don’t ask for anything, they don’t scream and yell, ‘I need, I need, I need,’ and they do need."

The tour will kick off on Staten Island March 5.

For more information on how you can help fund this project, head to ScottLobaido.com.