Tag Archive: Mike Reagan

Veterans Plaza Committee Honors Carrie Hite

Author: August 21, 2019

Veterans Plaza Committee Honors Carrie Hite

At the July Post meeting, former City of Edmonds Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services Director Carrie Hite was honored for her enormous contribution to the development and completion of our Edmonds Veterans Plaza. 

Plaza Committee Chair Ron Clyborne spoke of Hite’s contributions to the project, recognizing the essential nature of her part in its completion. While Hite recently resigned from the Edmonds position to assume a similar role in the City of Redmond, the Edmonds Veterans Plaza will surely stand as a highly visible symbol of her legacy to the city. She had served the City of Edmonds since 2012. 

Veterans Plaza Committee Honors Carrie Hite
As a symbol of our gratitude, Mike Reagan, Post member and famed sketch artist of fallen heroes, presented Hite with a her recently completed portrait, shown here, along with a photo of the presentation itself.

The Post and all Edmonds veterans and their families are indeed grateful. 

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Some Thoughts from Mike Reagan

Author: April 16, 2019

Some Thoughts from Mike Reagan
Apollo 

This morning I finished my love letter to Fallen Canine Hero Apollo. He died in this war June 5, 2013. Please Never Forget. 

I listen to a lot of music and books and choose those that tell me a story. That is what I try to do with my art and my posts. I believe that while I work with the fallen I bring them back for a period of time as I draw. I try and listen to them all, even the animals. If you were to take any of my drawings, like Apollo and follow up on the image you would find a story, a sometimes sad, but always fantastic story about a Hero. I live in these more then 6000 stories and have for 15 years. 

I truly believe that these people visit my drawing board and so I write things on my board as I work and as they come to me. I read one of those before I came up to write this: 

Life has 2 realities: The one most of us understand, where we can see, hear, smell and touch it. Then there is the one where we need to just believe. That ability takes trauma to achieve. You learn to believe because you have to, to hold on to whatever you lost that you loved the most. Once I draw a portrait of the fallen they become a part of me. I have become part of a lot of wonderful individuals who I believe died for me. 


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Fallen Heroes Project

Author: March 20, 2019

Fallen Heroes Project

An excerpt of some thoughts by Mike Reagan 

This morning I finished my love letter to Fallen Canine Hero Apollo. He died in this war June 5, 2013. Please Never Forget. 

I believe that while I work with the fallen I bring them back for a period of time as I draw. I try to listen to them, even the animals. 

A Gold Star family once asked me why I wanted to linger in all of your grief. I answered I wasn’t, I am spending time in your love. If you were to take any of my posts, like Apollo and follow up on the image you would find a fantastic story, sometimes sad, but a nonetheless fantastic story about a Hero. I live in these more then 6000 stories and have for 15 years. While its impossible for me to explain how I feel love for every single fallen hero I draw, the families see it in the result. 

Life has 2 realities. The one most of us understand, where we can see, hear, smell and touch it. and the one that we need to learn to just believe, where we can’t do any of those above things. That ability takes trauma to achieve. You learn to believe because you have to, to hold on to whatever you lost that you loved the most. Once I draw a portrait of the fallen they become a part of me. I am a part of a lot of wonderful individuals and animals, who I believe died for me. Never Forget. 

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More Honors for Fallen Heroes Artist Mike Reagan

Author: February 12, 2019

More Honors for Fallen Heroes Artist Mike Reagan

United States Volunteers – Joint Services command presented VFW Post 8870 member Mike Reagan with an appointment as “HONORARY COLONEL” at a ceremony held January 19 in Lynnwood, in recognition of his ‘exemplary Service’ to the United States military community through the “Fallen Heroes” project. 

The USV-JSC is an organization focused on Augmenting the Regular and Reserve forces in two areas. First, to provide trained, uniformed volunteers who may be called upon to render final military honors to deceased veterans and second to fill the gap when and where needed by proper authority in incidents of civil emergency management. 

Presenting the award is BG Tim Miller, USAVR Commanding General, 103rd BCT. Miller is a member of VFW Post 3348 in Shoreline. 

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Reagan Awarded Polish Medal

Author: July 21, 2018

Reagan Awarded Polish Medal

As we have previously reported, Mike Reagan produced set of “Fallen Hero” portraits (shown below in poster form) for the families of Polish KIAs of the Iraq/Afghanistan conflicts, which were of course well received by those families in Poland.

On the Sunday before Fathers Day, Mike was awarded a Polish medal in honor of his work at a ceremony in Redmond. The medal was presented by Major General Cezary Wisniewski of the Polish Air Force. The General is known as the Polish F16 “Ace” and trainer for their air force and is expected to be the next Commanding General of the Polish Armed Forces.

Mike also learned that three Polish Soldiers are riding their bikes across the USA to remember their fallen, and began in LA recently. They are headed to the East Coast. They stop everyday and set-up a display of their fallen. “Yep, they are using posters made up of my portraits to show the USA who their fallen are”. They all fell, 66 of them, fighting with American Special Forces.

 

Michael G. Reagan Portrait Foundation

“Our mission is to honor the American Fallen Heroes for their ultimate sacrifice during the war against terrorism. The foundation will provide the resources to produce and distribute to each family a hand-drawn portrait of their Fallen Hero, created by artist Michael G. Reagan, free of charge. Each portrait is intended to show our Love and Respect for these Heroes and their families.”

Mike has drawn over 5,000 portraits of deceased veterans.

 

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Mike Reagan and Friends Honor Fallen Comrades

Author: April 16, 2018

Mike Reagan and Friends Honor Fallen ComradesReagan: “50 years ago today (March 28) in Vietnam, I was with Peder Armstrong and Vincent Santaniello as they died. You know the story. Vinny is buried near Queens NY, Peder is buried near where I live. (Acacia Memorial Park, Shoreline) A group of people visited each site this morning. This is the group at Peder’s grave. Thanks to all of you who were there with Cheryl and me. Peder was pleased.” (The group joining the Reagans included several of his Post 8870 Comrades and high school classmates of Peder and Mike. For those of you who may not know the story, ask Mike the next time you see him. 

 

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VFW and Legion Honor National POW/MIA Day and Vietnam Vets

Author: October 12, 2017

On Friday evening, Sept. 15, thanks to the efforts of members of the Edmonds Veterans Plaza Committee, an observance was held to honor POWs, MIAs and Vietnam Veterans at the Plaza.

Three excellent speakers highlighted each of those groups of Veterans.

Joe Crecca, a USAF aviatorPOWs:

Joe Crecca, a USAF aviator and resident of the infamous “Hanoi HIlton” represented the Prisoners of War. Joe, who has spoken at a Post meeting in the past, described in detail his experience from the shoot down of his aircraft, through the long tortuous years in Hanoi to his release and return to “the World” at the end of US participation in the war.

Mike Reagan honoring James MorelandMIAs:

Our own Mike Reagan followed honoring James Moreland, an Army Special Forces medic, who was listed as MIA for many years, but whose remains were finally found and brought home for burial. Mike presented one of his special “Fallen Hero” portraits of James to his sister Linda Moreland Brown of Yelm and to Kathy Strong, of Walnut Creek, CA, who wore Moreland’s MIA bracelet for the entire 38 years he was missing. Strong attended Moreland’s funeral, and left the MIA bracelet pinned to his uniform for burial. .

 

Hugo on the bagpipesThanks to Hugo Mackay (pictured at left) on the bagpipes and the talents of buglers Chris Edwards and Debbie Dawson, the event was opened with the music of the pipes and ended with the stirring echo version of Taps provided by our buglers. Chris Edwards and Debbie Dawson. Chris also arrangeded and led the Washington National Guard color guard to provide the opening flag ceremonies.

 

Post 8870 Chaplain Dan Doyle a USN CorpsmanVietnam Veterans:

Post 8870 Chaplain Dan Doyle, a USN Corpsman attached to the Fleet Marine Force, who served with the Marines at the infamous Khe San siege, followed Mike. Both Mike and Dan spoke movingly of their experiences in Vietnam and represented the Vietnam Veterans being honored for the 50th Anniversary of the Vietnam War.

Following our speaker’s presentations, three Gold Star Mothers assisted Post leadership in awarding 50th Anniversary Vietnam Veteran lapel pins to each of the large number of Veterans of that conflict who were present.

Welcome home Brothers, welcome home.

POW/MIA Day and Vietnam Vets

POW/MIA Day and Vietnam Vets

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September Concert in the Edmonds Veterans Plaza

Author: September 8, 2017

Edmonds Woodway H.S. Musicians Perform

Voice of Democracy champion OliviaOur own Voice of Democracy champion, with the help and support of fellow student Roger Kitchen and VFW and Plaza Committee members Mike Reagan and Ron Clyborne, produced and presented a musical event at Edmonds Veterans Plaza, with a group of Edmonds Woodway High School musicians on Saturday, September 2.

The goal of these young people, under Olivia’s leadership, was to honor the Plaza and the Veterans it represents. The concert was free to attend, but a donation box accepted contributions to go toward the ongoing support of the Plaza, and collected over $ 800.

These wonderful high school musicians performed three sets of music, which were received with enthusiastic applause and standing ovations.

September Concert in the Edmonds Veterans Plaza

First up was a string quartet featuring a mostly classical selection which, to your editor’s ear, they performed flawlessly.

Following the quartet was a duet of violin and cello with a blend of classical and Scots/Irish folk tunes.

September Concert in the Edmonds Veterans Plaza

Last, but certainly not least, we were treated to an excellent performance by a jazz quartet.

September Concert in the Edmonds Veterans Plaza

This group of young men and women displayed a superb level of musical skill, reflecting, no doubt, a high level of talent and much hard work from early childhood. Of course we can’t neglect to congratulate the wonderful music educators of Edmonds Woodway H.S. who help develop these young musicians.

A big Thank You to Olivia and her musician friends!

 

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It Happened at the December Post Meeting

Author: January 9, 2017

It was a busy, if efficient December Post meeting, with a fascinating speaker in the person of Col. Bill Reeder and presentations as shown below, following which a sizable contingent retired to the Edmonds City Council Meeting in support of the Edmonds Veterans Plaza vote, details of which are covered on another post. We should all be very proud of our active and dedicated membership.

Representatives of VFW (Terry Crabtree) and American Legion (Jim Collins) present checks to Mike Reagan to support Mike’s Fallen Heroes Project. Mike has drawn portraits of well over 4,000 of our fallen comrades to date.

December Post Meeting

Sarah Browne presented a check from Spaulding Ski Bus in memory of Jim Harkness. Jim’s wife Dorothy has long been part of the ski bus project and the Post long a beneficiary.

December Post Meeting

Our December Speaker, Bill Reeder, author of Through the Valley, in which he related his experience as a POW held captive in jungle prison camps as well as the “Plantation” and the “Hanoi Hilton”. At left, Bill receives a drawing of his Cobra attack helicopter from our resident artist, Mike Reagan.

December Post Meeting

Mike Reagan presented a portrait of Ken Hicks to his daughter, Melissa Hicks at the December Post Staff Meeting. Ken, a Vietnam Veteran, passed away in July. (Ken and your editor were inducted into the post at the same meeting)

December Post Meeting

 

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Post Honors Bob Otto

Author: August 3, 2016

Post Honors Bob Otto

Mike Reagan presented his portrait of Bob Otto to Bob’s daughter Robyn Nordsven at the July Post Meeting

In the July issue of this newsletter, we published the obituary of Post member Dr. Robert Otto, who passed away in December of 2015. At the July meeting, Otto’s family and friends were present to receive the Portrait drawn by Mike Reagan in his honor.

Otto was tail gunner on a B-24 Liberator that went down near the village of Pollau, Austria, en route to bomb an oil refinery near Vienna in June 1944. Six of the crew were captured, two were killed and one was missing. Survivors were taken to a hospital in Graz for treatment. Otto and the other enlisted men were then sent to Stalag Luft IV near the Baltic Sea.

“We were loaded on boxcars,” Otto said. “Inside was a miserable, stinking mess.” In February 1945, they were marched out of the prison camp to keep them safe from the approaching Russian army. Emaciated POWs marched 500 miles over 70 days, sleeping in barns and open fields. Food was mostly occasional boiled potatoes, and the weather bitter cold. Many died of exposure, pneumonia, dysentery and starvation.

“Faith in the Lord and a desire to get home kept me plugging along,” Bob said, until the men were rescued by British soldiers. Otto’s story is included in the book “The Last Escape,” an account of Allied POWs in Nazi Germany, by John Nichol and Tony Rennell.

During his 2008 trip to Austria, Otto met people who were children at the time of his capture and who remember seeing Otto float down under a parachute, one of whom was Herr Adolf Heschl, who was 7 years old at the time. “He recalled the burns on Dad’s face, which triggered Dad’s memory of looking into mud puddles, trying to see his burns,” his daughter said. Details of Bob’s ’08 trip were reported in the July issue of the Post newsletter.

Post Honors Bob Otto

Bob, second from right, with the crew of the B-24 Liberator “Texarkana Hussy “

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Mike Reagan Honors Polish Soldiers

Author: February 3, 2016

Mike Reagan Honors Polish Soldiers

In a recent ceremony in Warsaw, Poland, government officials unveiled the portraits of 66 Polish Special Forces soldiers who had been killed in the Global War on Terrorism. The soldiers were killed while working with American Special Forces. Twenty two soldiers were killed in Iraq, and the remaining number died in Afghanistan. The portraits were drawn by Post member Mike Reagan, which he donated to the Polish government. The portrait presentation was the highlight of a ceremony that established a National Remembrance Day of Fallen Veterans. The framed portraits will remain on permanent display in the newly established Polish Veterans Museum.

In 2003, Mike established the Fallen Heroes Project, and since then, he has drawn more than 4400 portraits for the families who have lost loved ones in our nations’ Global War on Terrorism. Thanks to Mike’s compassion, he has brought untold comfort to the members of our nation’s Gold Star families. Mike has also honored the memory of deceased members of our Post by presenting portraits of them to family members.

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