Slain Rainier soldier to be remembered Thursday with portrait at Capitol

THE OLYMPIAN | • Published April 09, 2008

• Comments (0)

OLYMPIA -- Army Sgt. Justin Norton of Rainier, who was killed in Iraq in June of 2006, will be remembered Thursday at 11 a.m. at the Capitol Campus in Olympia. Artist Michael Reagan of Edmonds will present a portrait of the slain soldier to his family at the state Vietnam Veterans Memorial.

Joining Reagan and First Gentleman Mike Gregoire at the Wall will be John Lee, director, Washington Department of Veterans Affairs. All three are Vietnam combat veterans. April 10th marks the 40th anniversary of Reagan’s return from Southeast Asia.

Also on hand will be the family of Marine Corps Pfc. Chris Neal White of Farmington, Mo. His parents will receive a portrait of their late son. The family plans to attend a fundraising dinner Friday in Seattle to help raise funds for the Fallen Heroes Portrait Project.

Reagan’s project is about love and respect of those lost in war and that the nation should never forget their sacrifice, and that of the families. Using a family photo, portraits by Reagan are available free to families of military personnel who have been lost in the war on terrorism.