2-149th GSAB Soldier leaves his mark

Courtesy Photo | Sgt. Alejandro Saracay, an operations noncommissioned officer with the 2-149th General Support Aviation Battalion works on his most recent project in the GSAB’s operations center at Taji Military Complex, Iraq. Saracay has painted murals while on deployments throughout his career. (Courtesy photo)  

CAMP TAJI, IRAQ

09.10.2017

Courtesy Story

29th Combat Aviation Brigade

TAJI MILITARY COMPLEX, Iraq –Sgt. Alejandro Saracay is a veteran noncommissioned officer with experience in aviation operations, he also has the artistic talent to develop esprit de corps with the paintings he creates for the Soldiers of the 29th Combat Aviation Brigade’s 2-149th General Support Aviation Battalion, Task Force Rough Riders, including a design he recently completed at the GSAB’s operations center at Taji Military Complex, Iraq.

Sgt. Alejandro Saracay has been a part of the Texas Army National Guard for nearly 10 years and has created works of art and unit designs throughout his years of service.

Saracay has painted unit logo designs on previous deployments, including Kuwait and El Salvador, said Master Sgt. Christopher Stephenson, an operations noncommissioned officer with the 2-149th GSAB. “It is his special way to leave his mark on every location he’s at.”

He has made multiple works which help to commemorate shared experiences with his fellow Soldiers.

“I hope that my art can bring unit cohesion,” said Saracay.

The time and effort that Saracay put into his work are outward expressions of the pride that he feels in the Texas Army National Guard and the Soldiers he serves with.

“I am very proud to be in the Texas Army National Guard, these projects are just a part of my inner love for the organization and the Soldiers that serve with me,” said Saracay. “I love to see people’s reactions to my art.”

Saracay’s appreciation for the organization in which he has served is proven by the effort he puts into his work and the challenges he overcomes to finish his unit-wide projects, regardless of the location.

“The most challenging part is finding all the colors and materials to finish the projects, it’s not like I can just go to home depot to get the right paint I need,” said Saracay.

• Date Taken: 09.10.2017
• Date Posted: 09.19.2017 10:30
• Story ID: 248824
• Location: CAMP TAJI, IQ