Faces Of Service
Williamson County Veterans Portrait Project
-
“Faces of Service” is an on-going black-and-white portrait project aimed at honoring the diverse group of men and women, here in Williamson County, who have served our country. Each portrait of a local veteran is paired with information and a personal written reflection.
This work is grounded in Williamson County and shaped by its veterans. The project aims to create a space where stories can be shared across generations, strengthening understanding between those who have served and those who have not. In doing so, it honors service not as an abstract concept, but as a lived experience that continues to shape our nation and local community as well as inspire viewers to give back to those who have served.
-
I recently had the opportunity to shoot an interview with a 99-year-old World War II Army veteran whose time in active service accounted for only a small fraction of his long life. Yet that brief chapter proved monumental—shaping who he became with outcomes that have affected everyday Americans, then and now. That contrast stayed with me: how a few years, or even months, of service can echo across a lifetime and across generations.
Portraits have the power to do more than record a likeness. They tell stories, convey emotion, and invite empathy. When paired with honest reflection, a portrait can make history and current events feel personal—no longer distant or abstract, but human and present. This belief is at the heart of “Faces of Service”.
This series combines intimate photographic portraits with the words of the veterans themselves. Together, image and voice reveal not only military service, but the lives shaped before and after it—the resilience, sacrifice, humor, loss, and pride that remain long after uniforms are put away. The project seeks to honor each veteran as an individual whose experiences are woven into the fabric of our community.
“Faces of Service” aims to deepen local appreciation for military service, foster meaningful connection between veterans and civilians, and ensure that the stories of Williamson County’s veterans are recognized, remembered, and shared—while there is still time to listen.
-Dan Hedges, Photographer
-
Sponsorship funds will be used to facilitate portrait sessions, print portraits for display and for fees and costs associated with displaying the work at veterans events, galleries, museums and community spaces. A portion of sponsorship funds will also be allocated directly to local veterans assistance organizations, specifically with our partner Heroes Resource Center. Fundraising efforts will be held at spaces and events where the portraits are displayed. Viewers will have a heightened perspective on our service members and be motivated to volunteer, donate and become involved with local veterans organizations.
Joe Cottle | US Navy Veteran
James Trumbull US Marine Corps Veteran 1975-1981 (3rd Marine Division) Okinawa, JA Camp Hansen FMF, sea deployment, READEX 1-78 / Team Spirit
Joe Indiveri | US Navy, US Army, US Merchant Marine, US Air Force, US Air Force Reserve 1944-1978 | World War II | “During the initial landing on Guam - June 1944, I lost my best buddy. He was trying to save a fellow Marine who was wounded. A call for a Medic was not forthcoming, so he sacrificed himself by putting himself in between his fellow Marine and a sniper. He saved his fellow Marine's life, at the cost of his own.”
SRA Jaime Mercer | US Army Veteran 2002-2006 | Rear Detachment for Afghanistan | “Serving my country meant giving something back. Knowing my family was safe back home. During my service, I learned that nothing can take you down unless you allow it. Standing tall in the unforeseen circumstances builds character. Adapting quickly. A challenge I faced while serving was being one of the only females in a shop full of males. Having to learn quickly to either play the game or they will try to break you. They tried. I don’t play games well. I just present evidence. Made enemies with some but trust with those who counted.“
Allison Keagan | US Army Veteran | "Patriotism was something that was ingrained into me as a child. My father served in the Army during World War II, and I simply followed my father’s footsteps, proudly serving in the United States Air Force for six years. One memory that has stayed with me since my childhood is respect; respect for my elders, respect for my coworkers, respect for those in general. I was always very proud of the Air Force mission. We didn’t fight on the ground and get shot at like some other branches endured, but many of our aircraft and our downed pilots did get shot at. Many F-4 pilots were shot down in Vietnam and would wind up in indescribable POW camps, but I did not. I had a pretty good life during my Vietnam-era six years in the Air Force. While my challenges and struggles since leaving the military pale by comparison to many others, I have struggled somewhat, to this day. I’ve struggled with lack of respect shown by others, lack of respect to others, and many other things. I miss the discipline, the respect, the camaraderie, and the opportunities I encountered in the United States Air Force."
Richard Suniga | US Marine Corps Veteran
Sgt. Fred Wilson | US Army Veteran | Vietnam Combat Engineer |. “Serving my country gave me a sense of pride and moral satisfaction being able to answer the call as an American Soldier. There were several memories, but the one that sticks with me even to this day is of seeing the bodies of two of our pilots from the plane that gather aerial photos of weather and other information that help the troops on the ground. Something You're Proud of from Your Service: I’m proud of engaging with the Vietnamese people and the cultural enlightenment. The varied language and the learning how to enjoy the danger of being living and not knowing if or when you could die. A challenge I faced in being in the Military and even before is the same one I face everyday and I want to put a name to because the label that may address the way that people still do not consider me as equal to them. They may have a problem but I never will because I am me.”
Captain Bert Feltinton | US Army 1943-1946 | World War II
Lou Wolting | US Army, 1976-1980 | Active Reserves, 1980-1990 | Military Police; Fort Hunter Liggett, CA
Greg Walton | US Army 1987-1995 | Desert Shield/Storm 1991; Desert Fox 1994; Uphold Democracy 1994 | "pI began serving at 18 and retired at 52, with nearly 10 years in the U.S. Army and 20 years in law enforcement. Service was never about profit or personal gain—it was a calling shaped early by my parents and a few key mentors who instilled a strong work ethic and a commitment to something greater than myself. I’m proud to have served for so many years and to continue that mission today through a veteran nonprofit. Most importantly, I recognize my family, who made that service possible. While I did work I loved, they carried the real cost—missed milestones, financial sacrifices, and the constant worry for my safety. Their support and sacrifice made my service possible, and I remain deeply grateful."
Robert Duffey | US Army Veteran | "My military service has meant the world to me. At 17, I was looking for structure and guidance because I was making decisions that would have eventually led me to jail. I had many behavioral issues and hoped the military would help me overcome my track record. In the service, I found exactly what I was looking for and more. The Army took in an immature kid and, in eight short years, released a man. I will always be grateful for everything the military has done for me. A memory that has stayed with me is The Drill Sergeants. As I mentioned, I was full of anger and poor decision-making. My introduction to Drill Sergeants was the first time I truly feared another person, but by the time I finished Basic Training, that fear had shifted to respect. I was given excellent examples of how to carry myself, which is where my service started molding the man I would become. I am extremely proud of the person I became during my eight years in uniform, but I am most proud that two of my sons decided to follow in my footsteps. After leaving the Army, I struggled to find my footing and fit into the civilian world. These struggles never seem to completely disappear. Almost 20 years later there are still some days where I think of how life would have been different had I chosen to stay in. A military approach is not always warmly welcomed in a civilian world."
SPC Gilbert Morgan | US Army Veteran 2007-2011 | 92G SPC. E-4, Ft. Wainwright, AK | Iraq War
CPL James Foster | US Marine Corps, 2005-2011 | Global War on Terror
Carmen Valenzuela | US Army Veteran
Adele Cochran | US Army Veteran
Alex Besch | US Army Veteran
Ashley Huertas | US Army Veteran
Brandon Crook | US Army Veteran
Daniel Hellmuth | US Army Veteran
LTC Dave Kennedy | US Army Veteran 1956-1981 | Military Police Corps | Vietnam War, 1966-67; 1971-1972
Andrew Aguayo | US Army Veteran
Erv Gleghorn | US Army Veteran
Jennifer Jones | US Army Veteran
Greg Hermance | US Army Veteran
Jay Kearney | US Army Veteran
Larry Thomas | US Navy Veteran
Rob Hernandez | US Army Veteran
Steve Adams | US Military Veteran
Bert Feltinton & Joe Indiveri | WWII Veterans
