250 Faces of Service & Sacrifice
Aug 19, 2025 | By: Mikel's Photography & Design
A Photographic Tribute to the Americans Who Have Preserved Our Freedom Since 1776
250 Faces of Service & Sacrifice:
A Tribute to 250 Years of Courage, Duty, and Honor
As America approaches its 250th anniversary in 2026, I’ve set out on one of the most important projects of my career as a photographer and storyteller. The 250 Faces of Service & Sacrifice project is more than a collection of portraits—it’s a living tribute to the men and women who have worn the uniform, to the families who have supported them, and to the legacies passed down from one generation to the next.
I’m photographing 250 or more veterans, active-duty service members, Gold Star families, and individuals with deep ancestral ties to military service. Each portrait tells a story, each face preserves a legacy, and together they form a tapestry of sacrifice and honor that spans from the Revolutionary War to the present day.
This project is not just about the photographs—it’s about preserving our nation’s history through the lives and stories of those who have lived it. And it’s about bringing communities together to recognize, honor, and remember.
If you know a veteran, an active-duty service member, or someone whose family history deserves to be remembered, you can nominate them today at 250Faces.com. If you are a business, individual, or community leader who wants to see this project grow and inspire, I invite you to become a sponsor and help make this tribute possible.
Why This Project Matters
I have been photographing veterans for years through Honor Flight and my Remembering Our Veterans One Story at a Time project, but as the milestone of America’s 250th birthday approaches, I realized this moment called for something greater—something lasting.
The Generational Ties of Service
Military service runs deep in American families. I’ve met veterans whose grandfathers fought in World War I, whose fathers fought in World War II or Korea, and who themselves served in Vietnam or Iraq. I’ve photographed sons and daughters who followed their parents into service, and families who have carried the weight of sacrifice across multiple generations.
Each of these stories reveals the unbreakable thread of duty, honor, and country. They remind us that service is rarely an individual act—it is a family commitment. Wives, husbands, children, and parents all share in the burden, pride, and resilience of military life.
Preserving the Legacy Before It’s Too Late
We are losing our World War II and Korean War veterans at an alarming rate. Every day, voices of the Greatest Generation are silenced. Their memories, sacrifices, and wisdom disappear unless we take action to record them now.
I don’t want future generations to read only statistics in a history book. I want them to see the faces, hear the stories, and understand the humanity behind the wars and conflicts that shaped our nation.
A National Moment of Reflection
By July 4, 2026, the United States will celebrate 250 years of independence. Amid the fireworks and celebrations, it’s important we pause to reflect on the people who preserved that freedom—the ones who stood watch, fought battles, endured separation from loved ones, and in too many cases, gave their lives.
This project ensures that when America celebrates 250 years, we do so with gratitude and reverence for those who carried us here.
How the Project Works
The 250 Faces of Service & Sacrifice project is structured to be as inclusive and far-reaching as possible. Here’s how I’m building it:
The Portrait Sessions
Each veteran, service member, or family member nominated will be photographed in a professional portrait session. These sessions may take place in my Henderson, Nevada studio, on location in Southern Nevada, or anywhere in the state as needed. I am committed to traveling so that no story goes untold.
Every session includes not only the photography but also a storytelling component. I sit down with each person to hear about their service, their family history, and their legacy. These interviews help shape the narratives that will accompany the portraits.
Who Can Be Nominated
- Veterans from any branch and any era of service
- Active-duty service members currently serving our nation
- Gold Star families who carry the legacy of a fallen loved one
- Descendants of veterans from past wars, ensuring that even ancestral service is remembered
Anyone can nominate someone they know by visiting 250Faces.com.
The Final Vision
When complete, the portraits and stories will be:
- Exhibited in a traveling gallery throughout Nevada and beyond, allowing communities to engage with the project
- Published in a commemorative book featuring all 250 stories and portraits
- Featured in a 2026 calendar highlighting selected faces and their stories
- Shared online as a permanent digital archive for future generations
The Goals of the 250 Faces Project
This project is driven by three core goals:
1. To Honor Service
Every portrait is a public acknowledgment of sacrifice. For veterans who may have never been thanked, for families who quietly carried burdens, this project says:
We see you. We remember. We honor you.
2. To Preserve Stories for Future Generations
Too often, stories are lost because they were never written down or captured. My goal is to ensure that families have not only a portrait but also a record of service that can be passed down through generations.
3. To Unite Communities
This project is about more than individuals—it’s about bringing people together. Sponsors, families, and communities will have the opportunity to rally around their veterans, support the project, and celebrate our shared heritage of service and sacrifice.
How You Can Get Involved
This project isn’t possible without the support of people who care about preserving history and honoring service. There are two main ways to get involved:
1. Nominate a Veteran or Family
If you know someone who deserves to be recognized, please nominate them today. The process is simple:
- Visit 250Faces.com
- Fill out the nomination form
- Share their story and why you believe they should be included
Your nomination could be the reason someone’s legacy is preserved for generations to come.
2. Become a Sponsor
Sponsorships make it possible to cover the cost of travel, photography, printing, exhibitions, and publishing. Whether you are an individual, a small business, or a large organization, your support has a direct impact on honoring our veterans.
Sponsorship benefits include:
- Recognition on the website and at gallery exhibitions
- Commemorative items such as books, calendars, or prints
- The opportunity to underwrite sessions, exhibits, or publications
- The knowledge that you are helping preserve American history in a tangible, lasting way
To learn more, visit 250Faces.com and explore the sponsorship opportunities.
Why Sponsorship Matters
Large-scale projects like this require resources. While I have dedicated countless hours of my own time to photographing veterans over the years, the 250 Faces project requires a greater commitment.
Sponsorship ensures:
- No veteran is turned away due to cost
- Travel is possible to reach veterans across the country
- High-quality exhibitions and publications are created to share these stories widely
- Community engagement can happen through displays, talks, and events
Your sponsorship is more than financial support—it’s a pledge to honor and remember.
Traveling for the Mission
While my home base is in Henderson, Nevada, this project extends far beyond state lines. Service knows no boundaries, and neither will this project.
I am prepared to travel wherever needed to capture these stories—whether it’s a WWII veteran in a small town, a military family on base, or a Gold Star parent who wants their child remembered.
By traveling, I ensure the project is truly national in scope, reflecting the diversity and depth of America’s military service.
Ongoing Stories & Teaser Showings
- Every week, a new veteran story and portrait will be added to the 250 Faces website.
- Stay connected to witness these powerful legacies as they’re unveiled. • We’ll also be hosting small teaser showings throughout the year—intimate previews of the full gallery exhibit.
- These showings will help build momentum leading up to the grand exhibition in 2026.
- So log into 250Faces.com regularly to see the new stories posted
A Call to Action: Join the Mission
This is where you come in.
If you are reading this, you are already someone who values service, sacrifice, and history. The 250 Faces of Service & Sacrifice project cannot succeed without people like you—people willing to nominate, sponsor, and spread the word.
Here’s how you can act today:
- Nominate a veteran, family, or ancestor at 250Faces.com
- Sponsor the project and help preserve these stories for generations
- Share this project with your community, friends, and family so others can participate
Together, we can make sure that America’s 250th anniversary is not just about looking back at history, but about lifting the people who lived it.
Closing Thoughts
When I photograph a veteran, I’m not just capturing an image—I’m preserving a piece of history. I’m giving families something they can hold, share, and treasure. And with this project, I’m weaving together 250 or more of these stories into one powerful tribute to America’s 250 years of independence.
Generations from now, when someone looks at these portraits, I want them to see more than a uniform. I want them to see courage. I want them to see sacrifice. I want them to see family, resilience, and love of country.
This project is my way of ensuring that the faces and stories of service are never forgotten.
I invite you to stand with me.
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