DeJonge crestDavid J. DeJonge
Applied Strategy In Action

Activism, action & results—fighting for truth one moment at a time.

American photographer, activist, and entrepreneur. From a basement studio to the Amway Grand— from portraits to policy—keeping a promise that helped restore and recognize national World War I memorials, and a living commitment to accurate Christian history.

Read Full BioSee Laws & Results

Short bio

Raised in Zeeland/Hudsonville, Michigan, David J. DeJonge built his first studio in his parents’ basement and grew it into a portrait practice at the Amway Grand Plaza Hotel. He forged a dual track—photojournalism at the Grand Rapids Press and portraiture for leaders including President Gerald R. Ford, Justice Antonin Scalia, and President George W. Bush. Representing America’s last WWI veteran, Frank W. Buckles, he led a citizen, no‑lobbyist effort to restore the D.C. WWI Memorial, secure national recognition for two WWI memorials, and authorize the National WWI Memorial at Pershing Park. In 2012, he founded Legacy Icons to protect and share accurate Christian memory at scale.

Read the full biography →

Selected moments

With Bob Faw, NBC Nightly News
With Bob Faw — NBC Nightly News.
Oval Office visit
DeJonge visits the Oval Office with Frank W. Buckles.
With Blackfeet Nation leaders
With leaders of the Blackfeet Nation in Washington, D.C.
Directing in poppy fields
Directing in poppy fields for Pershing’s Last Patriot.
On set discussing veterans’ stories
On set discussing veterans’ stories and responsibility.
Leaving Mount Athos
Leaving Mount Athos—pilgrimage and perspective.
Sinai delegation with Pantocrator proof
With Sinai delegation, inspecting a proof of the Pantocrator icon reproduction.
On Capitol Hill
On Capitol Hill discussing the WWI memorial effort with then‑Speaker John Boehner.

What I do

Photographer

Portraits for leaders & families; photojournalism at the Grand Rapids Press. Clients include President Gerald R. Ford, Justice Antonin Scalia, President George W. Bush, and Speaker Newt Gingrich.

Activism

Citizen‑led, no‑lobbyist campaign (from March 6, 2008) to restore the D.C. WWI Memorial; secure national recognition for two WWI memorials; and authorize the National WWI Memorial at Pershing Park.

Entrepreneur

Founder of Legacy Icons (2012): 30 staff, 70k+ customers, 12M+ annual impressions, 40%+ YoY growth; partnership with Saint Catherine’s Monastery (Sinai).

WWI Memorials — Map & Story

Why the location matters, and what was accomplished.

Lincoln Memorial World War II Memorial D.C. WWI Memorial (Temple) Pershing Park — National WWI Memorial Korean War Memorial
D.C. World War I Memorial (restored 2011) Pershing Park — National WWI Memorial (authorized 2014)

Beginning March 6, 2008, David worked with Frank W. Buckles—America’s last WWI veteran—on a citizen campaign (without paid lobbyists) to restore the neglected D.C. WWI Memorial, secure national recognition for two WWI memorials, and authorize a new National WWI Memorial at Pershing Park.