Veteran Hugh Ward receives a pastel portrait from local artist Tammy Nielsen Symons.

Each Saturday from now through the end of July, portrait artist Tammy Neilsen Symons will be creating local veterans’ portraits in front of Books, Etc. in downtown Overton.

These portraits are done free for veterans. Any veteran interested should go to Books, Etc. from 10:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. on Saturdays to pose for an original portrait. Symons said that she can also take a photo if that is preferred.

Symons says she got the idea last month for Memorial Day. She decided that this would be a way to thank the local veterans for standing up for our religion, families and liberty. She began doing pastel portraits for them and it turned out to be a great effort. She has decided to extend the date for the July 4th holiday as well. So any veteran who has not had his portrait done can still do so.