Nassau Standard

Assemblyman Ed Ra hosted a reception at the Long Island Children’s Museum to honor participants in his annual Veterans Portrait Project. The event featured Notre Dame School eighth-grade students who created biographies and portraits of local veterans, now displayed in the museum's Community Gallery. This initiative was inspired by former President George W. Bush’s “Portraits of Courage,” aiming to connect students with veterans through art and storytelling.

Ra expressed his appreciation for the project, stating, “The Veterans Portrait Project is something I look forward to every year. It’s incredibly moving to see young people engage with veterans in such a meaningful way, learning firsthand about the sacrifices they’ve made for our country. Through this project, students gain an understanding of service, sacrifice and the importance of honoring those who protect our freedoms.”

He further emphasized the impact of personal stories on understanding history: “As I’ve said before, history is brought to life through personal stories. Seeing the students’ work today makes that especially clear. I’m deeply grateful to each student and veteran who participated and made this project a lasting success. And to every veteran who has generously shared their story with us, we owe a special debt of gratitude.”

The event included local veterans, students, and families enjoying pizza and ice cream while viewing the portraits.