Skip to main content

Subscribe to Smithsonian magazine and get a FREE tote.

History |

Celebrate the Nation’s Veterans With These 20 Stirring Photographs of American Military Heroes

Communities nationwide honor retired service members in these images from the Smithsonian Magazine photo contest

An American Legion member
An American Legion member
An American Legion member and Korean War veteran salutes at a Memorial Day service. Alex Usherwood, Illinois, 2016

Smithsonian Photo Contest Galleries

Celebrate the Nation’s Veterans With These 20 Stirring Photographs of American Military Heroes

Communities nationwide honor retired service members in these images from the Smithsonian Magazine photo contest

Photographs selected by Quentin Nardi

An American Legion member
An American Legion member and Korean War veteran salutes at a Memorial Day service. Alex Usherwood, Illinois, 2016

America wouldn’t be the country it is today without the sacrifices and dedication of its veterans. Whether they fought in the Korean War or just retired last week, they’re owed the nation’s gratitude. The holiday was established by President Dwight D. Eisenhower in 1954. “On that day, let us solemnly remember the sacrifices of all those who fought so valiantly, on the seas, in the air and on foreign shores, to preserve our heritage of freedom, and let us reconsecrate ourselves to the task of promoting an enduring peace so that their efforts shall not have been in vain,” Eisenhower said in his proclamation.

These photos—from Veterans Day celebrations and recognitions across the nation—seek to honor all those who served.

Native American veteran
Various patches and badges decorate the attire of a Native American veteran.
  Mashid Mohadjerin, New York, 2009
Vietnam Veterans Memorial
More than 58,000 names are etched into the Vietnam Veterans Memorial on the National Mall. Michelle Hough, Washington, D.C., 2022
Artistic photo illustration
In this artistic photo illustration that overlays multiple images with the American flag, a Marine veteran wears his formal uniform. Wayne Fleshman, California, 2020
Members of Daisy Girl Scout troop
Members of Daisy Girl Scout troop with a soldier and survey a veteran’s cemetery after placing flags to honor them. Sara Butler, New Jersey, 2009
a group of former members stand in line with the Washington Monument in the distance
Veterans with various physical disabilities hiked together across state lines, ending their journey at the Lincoln Memorial on the National Mall. Laura Aceto, Washington, D.C., 2016
soldiers march carrying an American flag
A service member carries a flag and leads his comrades at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst as they march in remembrance of 9/11 victims. More than 40 veterans died in the attacks. Matt Hecht, New Jersey, 2019
a Navajo Code Talker waves from a car in a parade
Navajo Code Talkers, heroic World War II soldiers who transmitted coded messages in their native language, participate in New York City’s Veterans Day Parade. Staton Rabin, New York, 2012
a person in a World War Two uniform sits next to an American Flag
During a Veterans Day parade in Petaluma, a participant wears a World War II soldier’s uniform as an American flag waves behind him. Joe Luchok, California, 2017
participants take part in a powwow honoring former military members
Members of the Taos Pueblo community participate in a powwow where an honor guard salutes Native American veterans. Daniel Brown, New Mexico, 2017
American flags fly on top of green tractors
A show of respect and admiration for our troops doesn’t always have to be a huge spectacle. Flags placed roadside among a line of tractors serve as a subtle tribute to our veterans. David Ellis, Arizona, 2022
a Sailor has a medal pinned on his shirt by his daughter
In the early days of the Covid-19 pandemic, many events were canceled, but our military continued on. With masks covering their faces, an incoming commander is pinned by his daughter while his son watches. Candice Baker, Bahrain, 2020
two hands pass an American flag
An older veteran, who has helped protect America’s democracy for future generations, passes on a small U.S. flag to a child. Paul Mudgett, Nevada, 2019
Congressional gold medals sit on display
Congressional gold medals to be presented to the descendants of World War II veterans are lined up in preparation for an event honoring Chinese American veterans. Donna Lau, California, 2021
sailors wearing white standing next to the water
From onboard a ship on Elliott Bay, outside of Seattle, the white uniforms of seamen at attention stand in contrast to the blues of the sky and ocean. Michael Martinez, Washington, 2014
a group of Cub Scouts watch a parade
Cub Scouts display their patriotism as they observe a Veterans Day ceremony in Newburyport. Jim Vaiknoras, Massachusetts, 2018
an unfurled American flag is carried during a parade
Members of the Junior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps, a program that trains more than 300,000 cadets annually, carry an unfurled American flag during a Veterans Day parade. Ty O’Neil, Nevada, 2016
the back of a man is shown as he salute's a row of flags
The attire of this Navy veteran of the Korean and Vietnam conflicts helps tells his story. John F. Warden Jr., Nevada, 2015
gold and blue fighter jets in formation in the sky
The U.S. Navy Flight Demonstration Squadron, known as the Blue Angels, performs overhead at a Veterans Day event in Pensacola. Justin Beebe, Florida, 2017
thousands of American flags stand in a field
A veterans monument in Pepperell is decorated with thousands of American flags, each honoring a fallen service member of the operations in Iraq and Afghanistan. Nicholas DePasquale, Massachusetts, 2020

Get the latest History stories in your inbox.

Email Powered by Salesforce Marketing Cloud (Privacy Notice / Terms & Conditions)