Press

This hand painted Doodle celebrates Veterans Day, a day to honor all who have served in the U.S. Armed Forces. The Doodle was created by Florida-based, Navy veteran guest artist, Kristin Cronic. The artwork is centered on the theme of “coming home,” depicting a commemoration wall in a veteran’s home. Each item featured on the shelf holds meaning…

At the National Veterans Memorial and Museum, we are motivated and inspired by remarkable stories about women in military service – their dedication, perseverance, and countless contributions throughout history charge us with excitement as we share their narratives with you.

In celebration of Women’s History Month, we had the incredible opportunity to connect with Navy Veteran and artist, Kristin Cronic. Kristin’s time at the U.S. Naval Academy has inspired her to create a body of work which pays tribute to the longstanding traditions of life for students and young sailors at the renowned Annapolis institution…

June 24, 2021 A nervous Kristin Cronic discovered Pete Souza’s collection of plebe summer photographs in 2007 right before she embarked on her Naval Academy journey.

Souza’s black-and-white photos, which captured raw moments like detailers screaming at plebes and the meticulous craft of making a rack, helped showed Cronic what to expect going into a summer like no other.

As a plebe herself, she remembers seeing little moments that she wished to capture, like the sun rising at a muggy morning parade practice and Stribling Walk at dusk. But she wasn’t able to document these moments until years later….

Inspired by her experience at the United States Naval Academy (USNA), fine artist Kristin Cronic wrote and illustrated A Midshipman’s Journey: Plebe to Officer at the United States Naval Academy Through a Graduate’s Eyes and Painter’s Brush. This beautifully illustrated coffee table book takes readers through the USNA process through impressionistic paintings and honest prose.

When Cronic accepted her appointment to the United States Naval Academy in 2007, she wasn’t sure what to expect. During her senior year of high school, she found solace in a series of photographs by Pete Souza documenting plebe summer, which inspired her to work on this project…