Tattoos, once the hallmarks of bikers, sailors and the disenfranchised, have become mainstream, increasingly seen on adults of all ages and walks of life. More than 45 million Americans — 15 percent of the population — have at least one tattoo, according to a 2006 report from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
A growing trend in the tattoo industry is ink memorials to friends and loved ones who have died, called memorial tattoos, in loving memory tattoos or R.I.P. tattoos. Though memorial tattoos date at least to the Civil War, artists say interest was reignited following the 9/11 attacks in 2001, and since the first casualties of war were reported in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Meet Tucsonans who are a part of this growing trend in Sunday's Arizona Daily Star.
Lake Mead's drops raise prospect of unaffordable Hoover Dam electricity
