Portrait of a Warrior Gallery

MEET THE DOCENTS ED GAEDE- The Gallery Operations Manager! Bakersfield born & raised. North High School graduate 1967. Enlisted US Army and served in Vietnam 1969 - 1970. Currently Operation Officer / Board Member at Portrait of a Warrior Gallery. Board president of the Kern County WWII Veterans Memorial.

MEET THE DOCENTS! ASHLEY VAUGHN: I was born and raised in Bakersfield and was a 2004 graduate of Foothill High School. Currently a student at Columbia Southern University obtaining my Bachelors in Business Administration. I am married to a retired Marine Corps Veteran, Matt Vaughn, who faithfully served his country for 20 years. He retired in 2018 from the USMC and we moved our family back to Bakersfield. I am blessed to be able to spend time at the Gallery and help our community learn some of the stories of our local Warriors, our very own heroes.

MEET THE DOCENTS: ARMANDO SOLIZ: Born & raised in Bakersfield, East High Class of '70. USAF, Security Police, Military Work Dog Handler (K9) 1971-75. Former Paramedic, retired CHP Officer. Still working part time driving senior/disabled bus. Active volunteer for Veterans. Book author, "We Seek No Wider War."

MEET OUR DOCENTS: CHAPLAIN (MG) MIKE LYNCH 2003 to 2020 Air Force, 2020 to present Army

MEET OUR DOCENTS: RALPH BARNETT 1961-1971 served as a Parachute Rigger, duty stations at VT-30, NAS Corpus Christi, TX, VF-143 F4 Phantoms, 2 Vietnam cruises (USS Ranger, USS Constellation), NAS Cecil Field, FL 1972-1987, changed rate to Data Systems Technician, duty stations TSC Sigonella, Sicily, FCTCL Dam Neck, VA, USS Coontz DDG-40, CSMTT, COMNAVSURFLANT, Senior Instructor, DS A School, CSTSC Mare Island, CA

Without our volunteer docents and VA work study docents the Gallery would not be open. And most definitely not free of charge. We would love for you to . MEET THE DOCENTS: SANDI JANTZ: Why I Volunteer: Early last September I visited Portrait of a Warrior Gallery for the first time. It was such a powerful experience that the next day the Gallery was open I went back and asked to volunteer, to support the mission to Always Remember and Never Forget our Fallen Heroe...s here in Kern County. I attended elementary through high school in Bakersfield, moved away and then returned a few years ago. I am a mother of 4 and grandmother of 8. My passion to support our military comes, I believe, from being in a family who has served, including two of my sons . Both are Army veterans. Both served in Iraq in different campaigns. My oldest also served in Afghanistan and has retired from his career in the military. See more

A HUGE THANK YOU to all of our WWII veterans on VE Day! We owe you all a debt of that can never be repaid!

Looking for temporary (or not) part time docents for the Portrait of a Warrior Gallery. (Until our VA work study students return) can u help on any of these days and any or part of these hours: Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday & Saturday from 11 am - 3 pm

This week, (&every week) on the anniversary of their passings, we honor these Hometown Heroes that sacrificed their Lives for us. Always remembered. Never forgotten. Troy Jenkins KIA 4/24/2003 Osbaldo Orozco KIA 4/25/2003

Coming to the Gallery!!!

A beautiful testimony from a Gold Star mom, who’s sons portrait hangs in the Portrait of a Warrior Gallery: I am a Gold Star Mom which is a title I did not intend on having, but when my son Albert was Killed In Action in Iraq, I became one of many Gold Star Moms throughout our country and this community. My son's portrait hangs on the wall at the Warrior Gallery along with the other 26 who were Killed In Action or died as a result of wounds suffered on the Battlefield sinc...e September 11, 2001. There aren’t any words to describe how much the Warrior Gallery means to me. I feel a sense of pride knowing that there is a place here in Bakersfield honoring our fallen which will never be forgotten. There are those who choose to serve willingly, to put their lives on the line without thought of personal interest. They stepped forward when so many never even consider it. Freedom does not come free of charge! Freedom is bought with the blood of our son's and daughter's, who put country ahead of themselves by paying the ultimate sacrifice of their lives. I am grateful and thankful for Lili March, Thomas Zachary and Jason Geis for having the passion to open the Portrait of a Warrior Gallery that honors our fallen heroes. Respectfully, Very Proud Gold Star Mom of: ALBERT GARCIA JR. U.S. Army Specialist KILLED IN ACTION March 13 2007 He put himself in danger, in a foreign land He did his job with honor, he was not afraid to die He died doing what he loved, but for most he loved God.

December 5 marks the anniversary of the passing of Staff Sgt. Cody Prosser. Cody, from Frazier Park, was the FIRST American casualty in the country, post 9-11. In recognition of his sacrifice, his portrait hangs in the Portrait of a Warrior Gallery (at 20th & Eye). This week his ribbons will be displayed on our flag and his biographer board just inside the entry doors. Please Come pay your respects. The Gallery is set up for social distancing and has sanitizing stations throughout. It is never crowded. Rest In Peace Cody.

Walk Ins welcome!

Angel de Jesus Lucio Ramirez. American Hero. The 22 year old hero enlisted following the events of 9/11, to defend a country that was not his birthplace. He was killed on Veterans Day 2006 while on a security detail in Ramadi. Rest In Peace- we will NEVER forget. His portrait has not yet been completed but his biography board is featured. As well black ribbons featuring his name hang from the American Flag this week. The Gallery is open on Veterans Day from 11-3. (T,W,Th,Sa. 11-3)

https://www.npr.org//veterans-and-gold-star-families-grant

Rudy Salcido. Killed in Action November 9, 2006. The anniversary of His passing is recognized this week with his ribbons flying from the flag outside of the Gallery and his bio board just inside the Main entry. We honor Rudy, his sacrifice and that of family today and every day. We will NEVER FORGET.

Brett Land, hero. Anniversary of his passing- October 30. Just 10 days before he was to come to see his newborn daughter for the first time. His finished portrait hangs proudly in the gallery and his black ribbons will hang from the American flag this week. Stop by if you will, to pay your respects. Vicki Huber

Congratulations Portrait of a Warrior Gallery - Kern County for winning the Beautiful Bakersfield Award for 'Arts & Culture'! Thank you Southern California Gas Company (SoCalGas) for sponsoring this category! #BeautifulBakersfieldAwards2020 #BBA2020 #BuildingSomethingBetter

Today we recognize and honor the anniversary of the death of Lester Baroncini. His Portrait hangs in the beautiful Portrait of a Warrior Gallery and his black remembrance ribbons fly from the flag in front. Rest In Peace, hero

This young hero struggles to stand and SING the National Anthem.....I reached out and got this young mans address from his Mom. If you would like to send him a card thanking him for his service, I would think it would be great to flood him with Thank Yous Chris Johnson P. O box 705 Chester SC 29706

The dedication of the portrait of Joseph Lopez

https://www.kget.com//he-was-lance-cpl-joseph-lopez-but-a/

https://www.linkedin.com//ex-military-careers_veterans-rai

The Anniversary of the death of Brian Pedro. Rest In Peace, hero