Long Knives unveil 'Advise and Assist'

Photo By Sgt. Terence Ewings | 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, from the creator Mark Churms, June 10, at Howze Theater on Fort Hood.  

FORT HOOD, TX, UNITED STATES

06.12.2009

Story by Pfc. Terence Ewings 

4th Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division Public Affairs

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, June 10, at Howze Theater.

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. "This is the best experience I had with this type of project."

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.

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 Cav. Div., was one of the Soldiers chosen to model in the artwork that illustrates the brigade's mission.

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

• Date Taken: 06.12.2009
• Date Posted: 06.12.2009 01:12
• Story ID: 34932
• Location: FORT HOOD, TX, US