Long Knives visually capture deployed experience

By Spc. Terence Ewings, 4th BCT, 1st Cav. Div. Public AffairsAugust 5, 2009

Col. Philip Battaglia, commander of the 4th Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, Command Sgt. Maj. Edwin Rodriguez, senior enlisted non-commissioned officer for the brigade and Mark Churms, the artist that created the painting, unveil the "Advi...
1 / 2 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Col. Philip Battaglia, commander of the 4th Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, Command Sgt. Maj. Edwin Rodriguez, senior enlisted non-commissioned officer for the brigade and Mark Churms, the artist that created the painting, unveil the "Advi... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Staff Sgt. Andrea Alvarado, assigned to the 4th Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, receives a signed copy of the "Advise and Assist" Brigade Print, which visually summarizes the dedication, hard work and commitment the Soldiers demonstrated o...
2 / 2 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Staff Sgt. Andrea Alvarado, assigned to the 4th Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, receives a signed copy of the "Advise and Assist" Brigade Print, which visually summarizes the dedication, hard work and commitment the Soldiers demonstrated o... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

FORT HOOD, Texas - After serving for a year in Iraq, troops assigned to the 4th Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, 'Long Knives' were welcomed home by family, friends and the unveiling of the "Advise and Assist" Brigade Print, which visually summarized the dedication, hard work and commitment the Soldiers demonstrated overseas, at the Howze Theater here June 10.

The artwork on the print depicts the achievements and the key elements of the Long Knife trooper's time in the southern provinces of Iraq. Featuring Soldiers from each of the brigade's battalions, the painting focuses on the "Advise, Assist and Enable" mission that the unit was given during their time in theater.

"It was awesome working with the Long Knife Brigade Soldiers," said Mark Churms, the artist that created the Brigade Print. Churms, who recently became a U.S. citizen, says this is one of his favorite projects and it's officially the first piece of artwork that he has created for the U.S. Army as an American. "This is the best experience I had with this type of project."

With an image of Coalition Forces pulling security and interpreters speaking with Iraqi leaders in the area, the painting also focuses on the partnership the Long Knife troopers established with the Iraqi Security Forces.

Capt. Seth Beamer, a platoon leader assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 7th Cavalry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, was one of the Soldiers chosen to model in the artwork that illustrates the brigade's mission while they were serving their country abroad.

"It was an honor and a pleasure to be memorized as part of this unit," said Beamer, a native of Merrmack, NH. "It's nice to have something to actually look at that shows the things we've done so we can always remember."

The original oil painting will be mounted in the brigade headquarters for current and future Soldiers to admire and remember.