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Politics & Government

Honoring One who Honors Many

Congressman Jay Inslee presents Fallen Soldiers artist Michael Reagan with a Congressional statement honoring his work.

Yesterday during the monthly Edmonds Veterans of Foreign Wars (Post 8870) meeting at the Edmonds Senior Center, Congressman Jay Inslee (1st District) presented artist and Post member Michael Reagan with a copy of the Congressional Proclamation issued by State Senator Maralyn Chase.

Senator Chase was present for the presentation, as was Mayor Mike Cooper and Stephanie Wright from the Snohomish County Council. Reagan’s wife Cheryl was also in attendance.

 After the Pledge of Allegiance and a prayer, Commander Jim Traner stepped up to the podium to say some words about Reagan. He introduced Mike and gave a brief overview of the Fallen Heroes Project, which. 

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“Mike is an artist making portraits of KIAs [Killed in Action],” Traner said addressing the room of politicians and Post members. “Sometimes you take on a project as a leader and when you look behind you no one is following. This is not one of those times.”

Traner expressed the continual support of Reagan from Post 8870, and presented him with a check for $1,000 to help fund the artist’s work. According to Reagan, he spends $750 a month on postage alone, sending out portraits to the families of fallen soldiers. He makes no money for his work, but feels like he has been called to paint the portraits.

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“Because this project is the most important thing I’ve ever done, that makes you people the most important people I know,” Reagan said, accepting the check from Traner.

Inslee rose to the podium and spoke about the value and importance of Reagan’s work, expressing an appreciation of the service of all the veterans in the room, and all the fallen soldiers who never made it home. He talked about the comfort the portraits bring to families who have lost a member in combat, then went on the speak about Reagan’s “tremendous artistry.” 

“These are not caricatures,” Inslee proclaimed. “When I saw these portraits I felt like I knew these people immediately.” 

After presenting Reagan with a copy of the Congressional Record Statement, the artist took a moment to surprise Inslee with his own portrait.

 

“Help me keep my promise,” Reagan implored. “These faces can easily be forgotten. Help me make sure we don’t forget these people. They are not just losses…they are our family.”

 

Mike Reagan will speak at the Museum of Flight on Saturday, August 20 at 2:00 p.m. 

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