Today’s #VeteranOfTheDay is Marine Veteran Reece Lodder.

Reece served from 2009 to 2017 as a 4341 Combat Correspondent.

He deployed in support of Operation Enduring Freedom from 2011 to 2012 in Garmsir, Helmand province, Afghanistan with 3rd Battalion, 3rd Marines.

Reece was named top Marine Corps photographer in 2011 and 2012 and was runner-up for DoD Military Photographer of the Year in 2012.

Reece’s iconic photo Let Sleeping Dogs Lie, which captures a bomb detection dog resting between two Marines during combat operations in Afghanistan, went viral after being featured by USA Today, numerous national media outlets, and as the subject of a video feature by NFL Films Presents.

He graduated Magna Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Business Administration in Marketing earlier this year.

Thank you for your service, Reece!


Nominate a Veteran for #VeteranOfTheDay

Do you want to light up the face of a special Veteran? Have you been wondering how to tell your Veteran they are special to you? You’re in luck! VA’s #VeteranOfTheDay social media feature is an opportunity to highlight your Veteran and his/her service.

It’s easy to nominate a Veteran. All it takes is an email to newmedia@va.gov with as much information as you can put together, along with some good photos. Visit our blog post about nominating to learn how to create the best submission.

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