Mixon shares historical rug with 25th ID museum

By Staff Sgt. Crista Yazzie, USARPAC Public AffairsNovember 7, 2008

Mixon presents rug to Tropic Lightning Museum
(Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

SCHOFIELD BARRACKS, Hawaii - Sixty square feet of 25th Infantry Division history were added to the Tropic Lightning Museum Nov. 5 when Lt. Gen. Benjamin R. Mixon, commander, U.S. Army, Pacific, presented the museum with a silk qom medallion rug from Iraq.

"The Army decided to loan this beautiful, historic rug to the Tropic Lightning Museum in honor of our Soldiers and their Families because its significance will now be a permanent part of the 25th Infantry Division's legacy," said Mixon.

The rug was initially presented to Mixon while he commanded the 25th Inf. Div. during the 2006-2007 deployment, from Nechivan Barzani, Prime Minister of the Kurdistan Regional Government. Barzani donated the rug in honor of the 25th Inf. Div.'s extensive work and contribution to the security and quality of life of the Kurdish people of Iraq, and the rug represents the gratitude of the Kurdistan Regional Government to the Multi-National Force for liberating all the peoples of Iraq.

"We are grateful to Lt. Gen. Mixon for presenting this artifact for exhibition in the Tropic Lightning Museum," said Gail Fuller, Tropic Lightning Museum Director. "Not only is it noteworthy in the history of the 25th Infantry Division's role in the Global War on Terrorism, it's a beautiful example of a traditional art of rug making. It will be prominently displayed in the 25th ID Global War on Terrorism Gallery."

At Mixon's request, the Administrative Assistant to the Secretary of the Army specifically authorized the rug to be retained in Hawaii as property and loaned to the Tropic Lightning Museum for public display.

According to the USARPAC Staff Judge Advocate, since the rug came from a senior foreign official, it is therefore considered to be a foreign gift, which makes it subject to very special rules. Any gifts received by military officials of any rank from foreign officials must be evaluated under these rules.

For any military person receiving a foreign gift, if it is valued less than $335, the individual is normally free to keep it as a personal item, as long as that person consults with their SJA.

The GWOT Gallery, where the rug will be featured, is a gallery dedicated to showcasing the support of the 25th Infantry Division in the Global War on Terrorism.