Photos of nearly three dozen veterans and the stories of their military service told through their tattoos are now on display at the Northport-East Northport Public library.

"It's a different way to talk about situations," says Kathryn Heavisde, of the Northport-East Northport Library. "We found that the tattoos that these gentlemen got, and women, really told a story of their past that they didn't want to talk about."

Chaz Moisan, a Vietnam veteran, is one of 34 veterans who agreed to have their pictures taken for the exhibit. His tattoos tell a story of how he was wounded by mortar fire. He has images of the Bronze Star and Purple Heart. Moisan also talks openly about dealing with post-traumatic stress disorder.

"If you look at it careful because of the way we were treated, it's a distress flag," says Moisan.

The exhibit will be on display until Nov. 30. Organizers hope to bring the exhibit to other libraries in Suffolk.