Veterans Portrait Project Coming to Bellevue University on Nov. 11; Second Day Added on Nov. 12 to Accommodate More Veterans
Omaha-area military veterans will have the opportunity to participate in a special Veterans Day portrait session on Monday, Nov. 11, at the Bellevue University Military Veteran Services Center (MVSC), 2108 Harvell Circle, Bellevue, Nebraska 68005.
It is all part of the Veterans Portrait Project, a labor of love for decorated military photographer and disabled combat veteran Stacy Pearsall. She will be taking complimentary individual photographs and hearing stories of veterans. The veterans who sit for portraits will walk away with a professional fine art portrait they can proudly display and share with their loved ones, and their portraits will join the growing collection of portraits online at VeteransPortraitProject.com.
Because Pearsall’s sessions have filled so quickly, a second day has been added at the Bellevue University MVSC location. Additional portrait sitting times are available on Tuesday, Nov. 12. Those who are interested should request a session at https://veteransportraitproject.wordpress.com/2019-vpp-schedule/omaha-ne/. If no specific times are available, veterans are encouraged to add their name to the wait list and MVSC staff will contact them.
Over the last 11 years, Pearsall has visited 49 states and taken more than 8,500 portraits. She will reach her goal to document veterans in all 50 states and be “mission complete” when she concludes the Nebraska event. Nebraska is the last state in her tour because Pearsall said she wanted to close out the project near where her own military career began – at Offutt Air Force Base.
Heather Carroll, Manager of the MVSC, invites active duty, veteran and military family members to see Pearsall in action on Veterans Day and on Nov. 12. “The heart of the Veteran Portrait Project is ensuring that veterans’ stories don’t go untold,” said Carroll. Bellevue University’s MVSC is a freestanding, dedicated center that connects military and veteran students and community members with assistance and a host of free resources. Bellevue University is an official Purple Heart University.
Founded in 1966, Bellevue University is a non-profit university with more than 60,000 graduates worldwide. The University is a recognized national leader in preparing students for lifelong success with career-relevant knowledge and skills, while making college affordable. Routinely ranked among the nation’s top military and accessible institutions, the University serves residential students at its main campus in Bellevue, Nebraska, and everywhere online with more than 80 degree programs uniquely designed for working adults. The University is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission (hlcommission.org).