Faces of Service

I’m a 20-year U.S. Air Force veteran. I retired at Fairchild AFB in 2000, and I live and paint in Spokane. These portraits are my tribute to veterans — a way to honor their service, one face at a time. I paint each portrait by hand, in acrylic or digitally with brushes that resemble traditional media. Many of them were presented at the Mann-Grandstaff VA Medical Center here in Spokane.

We owe a great debt to these heroes and to all who have served or are serving now. Because of them, we enjoy the freedoms we have today.

This gallery brings those portraits together. Click any image to see more of the work.

World War II

A few years ago, the Spokane VA sponsored a 100th birthday celebration for these veterans who served in World War II. Here are the portraits I painted of them.

At a Greatest Generation celebration at the Mann-Grandstaff VA, I presented the portrait of Navy veteran Richard Grewelle to his daughter Judy Secrest and the portrait of Navy veteran Herman Huether to his daughter Betsy Schieber. I painted these four portraits digitally by hand after attending their 100th birthday celebration about four years earlier, and VA public affairs helped me find the families. Read the Spokesman-Review story

Portrait of Edward Moses, US Army, World War II, painted by Antonio Romero — Edward Moses, US Army, World War II

Portrait of Norman Rubin, USMC, World War II, painted by Antonio Romero — Edward Moses, US Army, World War II

1st Lt. Paul W. (Bill) Butler served in the Army Air Corps and the U.S. Air Force from 1942 to 1965, in World War II and Korea.

Portrait of 1st Lt. Paul W. (Bill) Butler, Army Air Corps / USAF, World War II and Korea, painted by Antonio Romero — 1st Lt. Paul W. (Bill) Butler, Army Air Corps / USAF, World War II and Korea

Medal of Honor

In 2018, I donated portraits of Medal of Honor recipients PFC Joseph E. Mann and SFC Bruce Alan Grandstaff to the Mann-Grandstaff VA Medical Center. In 2025, I had the honor of meeting Lt. Thomas R. Norris and presenting his portrait to him there.

Portrait of SFC Bruce Alan Grandstaff, U.S. Army, Medal of Honor recipient, Vietnam War, painted by Antonio Romero — PFC Joseph E. Mann, U.S. Army, Medal of Honor recipient, World War II

Korea and Vietnam era

These portraits honor veterans of the Korean War and Vietnam eras, including fellow veterans I know here in Spokane.

Portrait of SMSgt Jerry Hood, USAF, Korean War veteran, painted by Antonio Romero — SMSgt Jerry Hood, USAF, Korean War veteran

Portrait of Mike O'Flaherty, Sergeant, U.S. Marine Corps, Korean War era veteran, painted by Antonio Romero — SMSgt Jerry Hood, USAF, Korean War veteran

Today’s Airmen

These portraits were commissioned for a poster by the local VA equal opportunity department, featuring veterans of Pacific Islander heritage. All three were stationed at Fairchild AFB, Washington.