Sacramento Standard

Senator Shannon Grove (R-Bakersfield) recognized Portrait of a Warrior Gallery Kern County as the 12th Senate District Nonprofit of the Year. Each year, Senator Grove selects one nonprofit from her district to attend the California Association of Nonprofits annual luncheon and commend their work with a Senate resolution.

Established with a mission to honor post-9/11 warriors from Kern County who sacrificed their lives for their country, the Portrait of a Warrior Gallery serves as a tribute through its portrait displays. Each portrait is a reminder of the courage and selflessness of these fallen heroes.

"I am honored to recognize Portrait of a Warrior Gallery Kern County as my Nonprofit of the Year. This remarkable organization, founded by Jason Geis and Lili Marsh, stands as a powerful tribute to Kern County's fallen heroes,” remarked Senator Shannon Grove. “Their dedication to working with Gold Star Families and providing vital services to veterans and the community is truly inspiring. I am deeply grateful for their unwavering commitment to ensure our veterans’ legacies live on for generations to come.”

"On behalf of Portrait of a Warrior Gallery Kern County, we are deeply honored and grateful to Senator Shannon Grove for recognizing us as her Nonprofit of the Year," said Jason Geis, Executive Director and Co-Founder. "Senator Grove's unwavering support and dedication over the years has been invaluable, especially given her own service as a U.S. Army veteran. Thank you, Senator Grove, for your continued support and for helping us keep the memories of Kern County's fallen heroes alive."

Founded on September 10, 2018, by Jason Geis and Lili Marsh, Portrait of a Warrior Gallery Kern County aims to preserve the memories of local fallen heroes through portrait displays, biographies, education, and evolving exhibits. The gallery collaborates with Gold Star Families to honor service members' lives through art and education while assisting in sourcing services available to local veterans and their families.

The gallery is housed in a 5,000-square-foot facility open at no cost to visitors. It features portraits of 27 post-9/11 warriors from Kern County who were killed in action or died from battlefield wounds. The Hall of Honor showcases pencil drawings of post-9/11 veterans who died due to other circumstances such as heart attacks or PTSD complications. A display with 22 crosses raises awareness about veteran suicides.

Additionally, the Medal of Honor Wall includes likenesses of two Vietnam veteran Medal of Honor recipients from Kern County: Specialist Four Leonard L. Alvarado and Staff Sergeant Larry S. Pierce. Other exhibits include a Vietnam Memorial Room honoring veterans who died while serving in Vietnam; the Post-9/11 Team Room highlighting living conditions during wars in Iraq and Afghanistan; and an Education Room used for Q&A sessions with veterans during school field trips or community meetings.

Portrait of a Warrior Gallery works closely with various organizations that provide veteran services including grief therapy, PTSD groups for healing and camaraderie, canine and equine therapy programs tailored for veterans, along with social and sporting groups promoting comradeship and exercise.