Name says it all: Please remember

Published 3:24 pm Wednesday, May 23, 2012

Every day for the last eight years, I have drawn free portraits of “Fallen Heroes” of this war, for their families around the world. As of today, that’s more than 2,900 free portraits. I have met incredible families and have been introduced to incredible men and women who are fallen heroes. People who have given me a gift I can never repay: my freedom!

I spend five hours on each portrait, and try to do two a day. I feel like I’m having a conversation with those fallen heroes. I am getting the opportunity to say “Thank you” and then sending a part of them home. But it isn’t necessary for anyone to do the type of work I’m doing in order to say thank you. All you need to do is remember, because I believe when you do that, they know it. People ask me all the time, “What can I do to help out a Gold Star family?” My answer: “Just remember”.

Memorial Day is the day intended or us to remember those sacrifices. This note is meant to help you remember. When I am given the permission to do one of these important portraits, I promise the family that I will do my best to be sure no one forgets. If you want to see those portraits and read about those heroes go to www.fallenheroesproject.org. There is a gallery and individual page for every portrait I’ve done.

I am a Vietnam Marine combat veteran, and sadly a lot of the heroes who died with me are not remembered. So, if you are reading this, let’s be sure that doesn’t happen again. Let’s all think of Memorial Day for the day it is, a day to remember. A day to say, “Thank you!”

Michael G. Reagan

Edmonds