Portraits of Courage Extended Through July 4th at EPCOT — Veteran Visits His Portrait

The Portraits of Courage exhibit at EPCOT's American Adventure Pavilion has been extended through the July 4th weekend, 2026, as part of Disney's celebration of America's 250th anniversary. The collection of more than 60 oil paintings by former President George W. Bush honors post-9/11 veterans, and a companion streaming special is now live on Hulu. U.S. Army Sgt. Matthew S. Ayers recently visited EPCOT with his family to see his portrait in person for the first time.

The Portraits of Courage: A Commander in Chief's Tribute to America's Warriors exhibit at the American Adventure Pavilion, EPCOT, has been extended through the July 4th weekend, 2026, as part of Disney's celebration of America's 250th anniversary. The exhibit features more than 60 oil paintings by former U.S. President George W. Bush depicting post-9/11 veterans, and a new companion special — Our America: Portraits of Courage — is now streaming on Hulu. U.S. Army Sgt. Matthew S. Ayers, one of the veterans featured in the collection, recently visited EPCOT with his family to see his portrait in person for the first time.

An Extended Exhibit Honoring America's Veterans

Disney announced that the Portraits of Courage: A Commander in Chief's Tribute to America's Warriors exhibit will remain at Walt Disney World Resort through the July 4th weekend, giving even more guests the opportunity to experience the collection as part of the national celebration of America's 250th anniversary. The exhibit, which debuted at EPCOT on June 9, 2024, brings together more than 60 vibrant oil portraits of service members and veterans who served with honor since 9/11 — individuals former President Bush came to know personally after leaving office.

Jason Galui, Director of Veterans and Military Families at the George W. Bush Institute, welcomed the news: "Sharing veterans' stories reminds all of us of their incredible courage, sacrifice, and resilience in defense of our nation — and of their continued contributions to our communities beyond their time in uniform."

The American Adventure Pavilion holds special meaning for this collection. Disney's appreciation for the U.S. Armed Forces traces back to its founders — Walt and Roy O. Disney both served during World War I — making it a fitting home for President Bush's portraits.

A New Special Brings Veterans' Stories to Life

Accompanying the extended exhibit is a new streaming special, Our America: Portraits of Courage, which dives in-depth into the journeys of four veterans featured in the collection: Matthew S. Ayers, Andrew Bachelder, Brian Flom, and Michael "Rod" Rodriguez. In celebration of National Military Appreciation Month each May, Disney, ABC, and the George W. Bush Institute spotlighted these four service members. The special features President Bush's personal reflections on each portrait and his ongoing work to support veterans — covering battlefield valor, recovery from injury, and the leadership veterans continue to demonstrate in post-military life.

The special is available on ABC News Live, Localish Networks, and Hulu.

Sgt. Matthew S. Ayers Visits His Portrait at EPCOT

One of the veterans featured in both the exhibit and the special, U.S. Army Sgt. Matthew S. Ayers, recently visited Walt Disney World with his 17-year-old daughter Isabella and wife Deborah to see his portrait in person for the first time. Sgt. Ayers has served since 2003, beginning in the U.S. Navy Reserve before transferring to the U.S. Army National Guard as a combat medic with the 19th Special Forces Group. He continues to serve in the U.S. Army Reserve.

Before exploring EPCOT for the day, the family toured the exhibit while Sgt. Ayers shared stories about his experiences with the George W. Bush Institute and his fellow veterans also featured in the gallery.

Service as a Family Commitment

For the Ayers family, the EPCOT visit carried particular weight — Isabella saw her father's portrait in person for the first time. Sgt. Ayers has largely recovered from physical wounds sustained during deployment, and spending time with his family remains a meaningful part of his ongoing recovery from invisible wounds. "Having the exhibit at Disney, you're going to get people from all over the world that see it," he said. "Some of these guys lost some limbs, other guys ended up with traumatic brain injuries, and just to have some appreciation, that's pretty cool."

Resources for Veterans at the Exhibit

The Portraits of Courage exhibit includes information and resources specifically for post-9/11 veterans, including Check-In — a tool that connects veterans, service members, and their families to no-cost, high-quality mental and brain healthcare. Veterans and families can learn more at Veterancheckin.org. The exhibit at EPCOT's American Adventure Pavilion is free with park admission and remains open through the July 4th weekend as part of the broader Disney Celebrates America celebration.