Honoring Veterans with a View: Mount Rainier and the Brave Who Serve

Today’s post is in honor of Veterans Day—a day to pause, reflect, and give heartfelt thanks to those who have served and are actively serving our country. I’m proud to say that my own family tree is full of service: grandfathers, uncles, cousins on both sides. Friends, colleagues, and even former classmates have answered the call. Their dedication—and the sacrifices made by their families—are nothing short of extraordinary.

Service isn’t just a job. It’s a commitment that touches every part of life. It’s early mornings, long deployments, missed holidays, and unwavering courage. It’s the quiet strength of spouses and children holding down the home front. It’s the resilience of communities built around honor, duty, and love of country.

This year, I wanted to create a design that speaks to that spirit. Something that blends the awe-inspiring beauty of the Pacific Northwest with the bravery of those who protect our way of life. So I turned to a familiar muse: Mount Rainier.

Why Mount Rainier?

If you’ve followed my work for a while, you know how central this mountain is to my creative soul. Towering over Eatonville, WA—my hometown—it’s more than a landmark. It’s a symbol of strength, endurance, and majesty. It’s the backdrop to countless hikes, memories, and moments of reflection. And for this design, it became the perfect canvas to honor our military.

The design I created features silhouetted hikers trekking toward Rainier’s peak. It’s a nod to the journey of service—steep, challenging, and breathtaking. The hikers represent all those who’ve walked the path of sacrifice, whether in boots on the ground or in quiet support from home.

A Personal Tribute

This piece isn’t just art—it’s personal. It’s for my grandfathers who served with quiet pride. For my uncles and cousins who wore the uniform. For my friends who’ve deployed and returned with stories that changed them. For my colleagues and former colleagues who bring discipline and integrity to every space they enter. And for my classmates who chose service over comfort, courage over ease.

I’m grateful beyond words for the freedoms I enjoy today—especially the freedom to worship the God who saves. That freedom wasn’t free. It was earned, protected, and passed down through generations of brave souls.

Thank You

To all who have served: thank you. Your courage inspires my creativity. Your sacrifice humbles my heart. And your legacy lives on—in ornaments, in stories, and in the quiet gratitude of those who remember.