Local Army Veteran Jeremy Carpenter Wins 2025 National Veterans Day Poster Contest

Jeremy D. Carpenter, an Army Veteran residing in NW Arkansas, was named the winner. His winning poster, titled "Unified by Service," will be showcased in VA facilities, military installations worldwide, and across the nation. It will also grace the cover of the official program for the Veterans Day National Observance at Arlington National Cemetery on November 11, 2025. 

Living in Lowell, AR, with his wife of 22 years and their 11-year-old son, Carpenter is not your typical artist. After enlisting in the Army National Guard at the age of 17 while still in high school, he served during Operation Southern Watch in Southwest Asia. This experience profoundly shaped his worldview and the values he holds dear. 

Holding three college degrees, including an MBA, Carpenter has always nurtured a creative side. He has dabbled in music, writing, and the occasional visual project, even playing guitar and singing in a band for about a decade. “Creativity for me comes when something meaningful needs to be expressed,” Carpenter said. 

Carpenter stumbled upon the poster contest through a VA email newsletter. "It was just tucked away with other articles. I looked through some of the previous winners and thought it was a meaningful opportunity to honor Veterans respectfully and inclusively,” Carpenter explained.  

His entry for the contest, inspired by the personal and collective experiences of being a Veteran, aimed to reflect the strength, unity, and shared purpose across all branches of the U.S. military. "When I thought about what feels patriotic to me, a couple of symbols came to mind: the American flag and the bald eagle. The branch emblems, in particular, felt like the best way to show respect to each branch equally," Carpenter said. 

The central theme of "Unified by Service" is clear in its design. The bald eagle stands watchful at the center, with the American flag behind it. Beneath the eagle, the six military emblems are arranged in a formal arc, symbolizing cohesion and shared commitment among the Armed Forces. It even includes emblems for the U.S. Public Health Service Commissioned Corps and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Commissioned Officer Corps, broadening the representation to the Uniformed Services of the United States. 

Carpenter's personal experiences as a Veteran deeply influenced his artwork. His goal was to create something that would speak to the diverse experiences of all Veterans. "I have known people from every branch, and I have seen how different our paths can be, but also how much we have in common. There is a shared understanding, a kind of unspoken respect among Veterans, no matter when or where we served,” said Carpenter.  

When Carpenter received the news of his win, it was an unexpected yet gratifying surprise. "I knew I had put a lot of thought into the design, and I felt good about the message behind it. It felt good to know that the judges saw value in the piece and what I was trying to say,"  

Veterans Day is a day for reflection on the commitment and sacrifices made by those who served. "For me, it is not about parades or discounts,” explains Carpenter. “It is about taking a moment to reflect on the people I served with, the ones still serving, and those who did not make it home.” 

Carpenter’s poster reminds us of the shared purpose and unity that binds all Veterans. His thoughtful and inclusive design will honor the service and sacrifice of countless individuals this Veterans Day. 

"I wanted Veterans to feel seen. If even one person looks at it and feels a sense of pride or connection, then I did what I set out to do," said Carpenter. It seems he has done just that. 

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