Some titles of award-winning Veterans Day artwork include "Old Blue Eyes," "Reminiscing My Childhood," and "A Bushel of Fairies." Award-winning artwork for Veterans Day comes from multiple competitions, including the VA's National Veterans Creative Arts Festival (NVCAF) and local contests.
VA National Veterans Creative Arts Festival
The NVCAF features the top art pieces from veterans across the country. Notable winning titles include:
"Old Blue Eyes": A pastel portrait that won Best in Show at a local competition in 2024, created by Lorenzo Miller.
"Reminiscing My Childhood": A fiber arts kit that won first place in the 2024 NVCAF, submitted by Marine Corps veteran Lori Ceder.
"A Bushel of Fairies": A diorama that won first place in the 2024 NVCAF, submitted by Army veteran Krystal Anspach.
"Haunted House": A stained or painted figurine that also won first place in the 2024 NVCAF, created by Marine Corps veteran Lori Ceder.
Local and national contests
Other contests also produce award-winning art, such as the following:
"Celebrating with Marilyn": The winning entry in a 2022 Veterans Day contest.
"Soldiers Honoring Veterans Day": An art print by Carolyn Marshall.
"Honor and Gratitude Thank You Veteran": An art print by Jeff Creation.
Many quotes speak to the emotions of soldiers and their families during deployment. Here are some examples:
"The true soldier fights not because he hates what is in front of him, but because he loves what is behind him." - G.K. Chesterton
"Love reckons hours for months, and days for years: And every little absence is an age."
Sentiments expressing love and pride for the deployed soldier include: "Your commitment to your service makes me love you even more," "While you're deployed, please remember how grateful we are for your service," and "We're proud of you, we love you and we miss you." Other messages convey longing for their return, such as "It's not the same here when you're gone. We're hanging tough and keeping things running—but we can't wait 'til you're home."
A quote that reflects on a soldier's memory is: "Your life was a blessing, your memory a treasure. You are loved beyond words and missed beyond measure".