WASHINGTON (Army News Service, Oct. 10, 2008) Aca,!" An oil portrait of retired Gen. Peter J. Schoomaker was unveiled at the Pentagon today, to the delight of family, friends and top government officials.
Schoomaker, former chief of staff of the Army, was honored with a special painting in the Hall of Heroes, a physical reminder of his achievements while serving in the Army. Vice President Dick Cheney and Secretary of the Army Pete Geren were in attendance at the ceremony.
Aca,!A"Mr. Vice President, thank you very much for being here,Aca,!A? Schoomaker said with a smile, Aca,!A"ItAca,!a,,cs a real honor that you would take the time to stop by, thank you very much.Aca,!A?
Chief of Staff of the Army Gen. George W. Casey Jr. made the opening remarks at the ceremony.
Aca,!A"When I think of Pete Schoomaker, I think of commitment, I think of vision, and I think of courage,Aca,!A? Casey said.
According to his official biography, Schoomaker deployed on a number of combat operations, including Desert Shield/Desert Storm. He became the 35th chief of staff on Aug. 1, 2003, during the global war on terror. He guided the Army through its most significant transformation since World War II, restructuring the Army as a campaign quality, strategically agile, modular expeditionary force. During his tenure, the SoldierAca,!a,,cs Creed and Warrior Ethos were formally established.
Aca,!A"I think the thing Pete will be remembered for the most, and it is the one thing I think has held this Army together through this difficult period and made it the resilient force that it is, and that is the Warrior Ethos,Aca,!A? Casey said. Aca,!A"Over a million men and women are warriors today and carry that warrior ethos in their heart, into battle, around the world because of Pete Schoomaker.Aca,!A?
The portrait depicts Schoomaker in his Army Combat Uniform, which was a very important choice to Schoomaker.
Aca,!A"I wanted to have the ACU because the ACU, in my view, is a symbol of the Warrior Ethos and the transition of the Army to the Army we have today.Aca,!A?
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