Fallen Heroes Project on display at Arlington Cemetery

By Kaitlin Horst, Arlington National Cemetery Public AffairsJanuary 20, 2010

Fallen Heroes Project on display at Arlington Cemetery
Eric Herzberg, father of Lance Cpl. Eric W. Herzberg, and Beth Belle, mother of Lance Cpl. Nicholas Kirven, study a collage of portraits done by Michael G. Reagan on exhibit at Arlington National Cemetery's Visitor Center. The project, more than 2,00... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

ARLINGTON NATIONAL CEMETERY, Va. -- The Fallen Heroes Project by portrait artist Michael G. Reagan is now on display at the Arlington National Cemetery Visitors Center.

The project, which debuted on Tuesday, Jan. 19 before a small gathering of family members of the fallen, is a poster series displaying collages of portraits that Reagan has hand-drawn for the families of fallen servicemembers from the conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan.

A combat veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps during the Vietnam War and a portrait artist for more than 30 years, Reagan began drawing portraits of fallen servicemembers a few years ago after receiving a request for a custom commission from the wife of a Soldier killed in Iraq. Since that time, he's drawn more than 2,000 portraits free-of-charge for families who have lost a loved one in either Iraq or Afghanistan.

An internationally-acclaimed portrait artist, Reagan has drawn approximately 10,000 portraits including 1,500 autographed portraits of celebrities like Oprah Winfrey, professional athletes, U.S. presidents and other heads of state. However, in honoring the memory of our nation's fallen by sharing his portrait-drawing talent with their families, Reagan has found his passion.

"We are honored to have Michael Reagan's work on display here at Arlington," said Arlington National Cemetery Superintendent John C. Metzler Jr. "We hope this display will raise awareness of Michael's project and his desire to provide his special portraits to the families of our fallen."

The Fallen Heroes Project is supported by the Michael G. Reagan Portrait Foundation and will be on display at the cemetery's visitors center for the next several months."

Related Links:

Arlington National Cemetery

Fallen Heroes Project web site