Senior Physician Assistant featured in President George W. Bush's Portraits of Courage traveling art

By Lt. Col. Amelia Duran-StantonAugust 14, 2018

Senior Physician Assistant featured in traveling art exhibit
1 / 3 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Maj Christopher Cordova, stands in front of the mural that includes his portrait, Aug. 7, 2018, while he describes how he was selected for President George W. Bush's "Portraits of Courage" traveling art exhibit. The exhibit is currently on display at... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Senior Physician Assistant featured in traveling art exhibit
2 / 3 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Maj. Christopher Cordova, (center), poses for a photo with fellows from the U.S. Army Medical Specialist Corps at the Witte Museum in San Antonio, Texas, Aug. 7, 2018. Cordova spoke to the Specialist Corps officers about how President George Bush sel... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Senior Physician Assistant featured in traveling art exhibit
3 / 3 Show Caption + Hide Caption – A portrait of Maj. Christopher Cordova, the 4th Infantry Division Senior Physician Assistant, is displayed at the Witte Museum in San Antonio, Texas, Aug. 7, 2018, as part of the Portraits of Courage display painted by former President George W. Bush... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

A group of Army Medical Specialist Corps officers gathered at the Witte Museum in San Antonio, Texas, Aug. 7, 2018, to support Maj. Christopher Cordova, the 4th Infantry Division Senior Physician Assistant, at President George W. Bush's traveling exhibit titled "Portraits of Courage: A Commander in Chief's Tribute to America's Warriors."

Then-Capt. Cordova earned the Silver Star for his gallantry in action during the Battle of Kamdesh at COP Keating Oct. 3, 2009. In 2015, Cordova applied for the W100K - a mountain bike ride with the 43rd President of the United States. The ride is for veterans and service members of the Global War on Terrorism. Since mountain biking played an integral role in his mental fitness after returning from intense combat in Iraq and Afghanistan, he was instantly drawn to the idea of riding mountain bikes with the former Commander in Chief. After a surprising phone call notifying his selection, he traveled to Waco, Texas, to participate in the W100K.

During the event, each participant conducted an on-camera interview consisting of questions regarding their military experience, emotions derived from our combat experience, and strategies for dealing with these overpowering emotions. President Bush used the images from these interviews for his portraits, which included Cordova, that are now part of the traveling exhibit.

The traveling exhibit and the book of portraits are currently featured at the Witte Museum until Sept. 30. The Witte Museum offers free admission on Tuesday evenings and offers free military weekends for the exhibit Aug. 18-19 and Sept. 15-16.