Photo By Sgt. 1st Class Diandra Harrell | The unique 1988 oil-on-canvas painting "Ministries in Vietnam" by Terry Rodgers, a...... read more read more
Subscribe
FORT BRAGG, N.C. - A diverse crowd of military service members, retirees, Vietnam War veterans and civilians crammed the dimly lit hallway near the Reilly Road entrance on the first floor of the Womack Army Medical Center to get a glimpse of the storied painting mounted on the wall covered by a large sheet of parchment paper.
Standing shoulder to shoulder - blocking the paths of passersby, the crowd patiently waited and quietly conversed as Lt. Col. Ron Leininger, the WAMC chaplain moved about multi-tasking between speaking to fellow leaders and other attendees while simultaneously ensuring everything was in place for this morning’s event.
Leininger is joined by Col. Brian T. Canfield, WAMC commander along with a few veterans of the Vietnam War present to witness the unveiling of the “Ministries in Vietnam” oil-on-canvas painting by artist Terry Rodgers.
“This very unique oil-on-canvas painting is not of a single scene,” said Leininger, “it is a composite of multiple photographs Rogers received and this is the end result.”
Originally unveiled at the old Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington D.C., in 1988 the painting was not included in the move to the new Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Bethesda, Md.
In November, 2011 the new WRNMC was opened and the old building was vacant but still had useful medical equipment and supplies which prompted WAMC staff and Leininger to travel to Washington D.C. to salvage items that could be used in Fort Bragg.
While there, Leininger saw this monumental painting that showed the true connection of religious support for soldiers during combat and thought that it would be great addition to the WAMC. He then requested that the painting be transferred to Fort Bragg.
The request was granted and now this painting, which tells the story of chaplaincy during one of the Army’s most compromising moments in history, is displayed at WAMC in Fort Bragg, N.C.
“It signifies religious support in a combat environment integrating military medicine and religious support on the behalf of Soldiers,” said Leininger.
The ceremony began with remarks from Canfield.
“You are about to see the unveiling of a very important piece of art thanks to Chaplain Leininger, our Ministry Department and the tactical care team here at Womack Army Medical Center,” said Canfield. We raised our hand and said we want that here and don’t send it anywhere else now it’s here at WAMC where it should be.”
Canfield called Leininger forward who welcomed all the Vietnam War veterans to stand before the crowd all graying men who stood proudly as Leininger spoke about the significance this picture embodies. He also called forward and recognized members of Linc government services who mounted the painting on wall by presenting each of them with a Certificate of Achievement. After the small awards ceremony Canfield called the veterans back up to help unveil the painting.
“Let’s start a countdown,” said Canfield. “Ten, nine, eight, seven, six, five, four, three, two, one!”
The large sheet of paper covering the painting was removed revealing the remarkable piece by the artist Rodgers. The painting depicts many scenes such as Soldiers seated some on their helmets, heads bowed and eyes closed receiving spiritual encouragement from their chaplain.
Every person looked upon the artwork with amazement as Canfield called Lt. Col. (Ret.) Father Micheas Langston, a short man, with whitening hair forward to speak.
Langston, the Womack Catholic chaplain put an old olive uniform top over his white shirt with the help of Command Sgt. Maj. Michael T. Brooks, the WAMC CSM. The top was tight and only buttoned down to the second button leaving the jacket to remain open across his mid-section; it most likely fit better back 1972 when Langston served as a chaplain in Vietnam.
He stood against the painting with his hands folded together as he told the story of his time with 196th light Infantry unit while stationed in Vietnam.
“It was the best unit I was in while on active duty, said Langston. “They took care of each other.”
As he called out the unit name a cheer could be heard from another Vietnam War veteran in the crowd.
As Langston’s story ended the ceremony concluded. While the crowd dispersed a number lingered to take photos - the veterans gazed the painting reminiscently for a moment reliving a past life.
| Date Taken: | 07.13.2012 |
| Date Posted: | 07.18.2012 12:45 |
| Story ID: | 91754 |
| Location: | FORT BRAGG, NORTH CAROLINA, US |
| Web Views: | 321 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, Walter Reed scavenger hunt uncovers amazing find for WAMC Chaplain, by SFC Diandra Harrell, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
No keywords found.
