What happens when you makeover 21st Century servicewomen into 1940s-era models?
The 2020 Pin-ups For Vets calendar.
"It's challenging the stereotype of what a veteran is," said Gina Elise, who founded the award-winning nonprofit which serves the military and veteran community in 2006.
"There were a lot of stories that our troops coming back from Iraq needed medical care and I wanted to do something to support them," explained Elise.
Elise's late grandfather was a World War II veteran and she also wanted to do something to honor him. Drawing inspiration from World War II pin-ups such as Betty Grable sparked the idea for the calendar.
The models photographed for the calendar are all female veterans who have been transformed into 1940s pin-ups complete with hairstyles, makeup and clothing representative of that era.
Annual casting calls for pin-up hopefuls go out in the spring, said Elise. Nineteen female veterans are featured in the 2020 calendar.
"They are coming together again to give back to their brothers and sisters," said Elise.
Army combat veteran Andrea Lewis said she wanted to be a pin-up in order to be part of a cause that benefits her fellow vets and active duty service members.
"I love my country and the history that made it stand out from the rest of the world," she said. "Pin-ups were and still are a huge part of that. It's an honor to be part of history."
Erika Velasquez served in the Coast Guard for 15 years. Being a pin-up allows her to acknowledge and remind the community about the sacrifices veterans have made.
"I am thankful to each individual who has served and contributed to better the world through their service to others," she said.
To date, the organization has donated over $60,000 to help VA Hospitals purchase new therapy equipment and to provide financial assistance for Veterans' healthcare program expansion across the U.S.
In addition to making personal appearances at VA hospitals to deliver the calendars, Pin-Ups for Vets also ships care packages to troops deployed around the globe, does morale-boosting pin-up makeovers for female veterans and military wives and works with homeless veteran shelters putting on events and donating gifts and clothes.
"There have been 10 flags flown above military bases and on missions in Iraq and Afghanistan in honor of the work that we do for the Military and Veteran community," added Elise.
Pre-orders for the 2020 calendar are being taken now at the organization's website.
D-Day Photo Gallery: Honoring veterans, remembering fallen
Timeline: History of women in the military
Want to get more connected to the great stories and resources Connecting Vets has to offer? Click here to sign up for our weekly newsletter.
PHOTO GALLERY: Pin-Ups for Veterans unveils its 2020 calendar 1
Shane Karns Photography
PHOTO GALLERY: Pin-Ups for Veterans unveils its 2020 calendar 2
Shane Karns Photography
PHOTO GALLERY: Pin-Ups for Veterans unveils its 2020 calendar 3
Shane Karns Photography
PHOTO GALLERY: Pin-Ups for Veterans unveils its 2020 calendar 4
Shane Karns Photography
PHOTO GALLERY: Pin-Ups for Veterans unveils its 2020 calendar 5
Shane Karns Photography
PHOTO GALLERY: Pin-Ups for Veterans unveils its 2020 calendar 6
Shane Karns Photography
PHOTO GALLERY: Pin-Ups for Veterans unveils its 2020 calendar 7
Shane Karns Photograpjy



