Page 3 - Ft. Irwin High Desert Warrior, July 2019

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High Desert Warrior 3 July 5, 2019
Community
Soldier eyes career in art after retirement
by Janell J. Lewis Ford
Garrison Public Affairs
It’s a pretty big moment in Sgt. 1st Class Francis Pache’s life- He’ll soon cel- ebrate more than 20 years in the Armed Forces, he has begun his transition into retiring from the military and he may have already kicked off his new career, as his artwork is featured in a popular art exhibit in Los Angeles.
These days, Pache has artwork that is colorful and abstract, but it wasn’t always that way.
“I started out drafting houses and plans,” he said. “The drawings were black and white. I then moved to adding color with color pencil, then moved onto water-soluble color pencil as my medium and changed to an abstract/impressionist style.”
Right now, Pache works at the Na- tional Training Center with the 11th ACR, RHHT, RS6 as a Key Management Infra- structure (KMI) Office Account Manager (KOAM) but his love for art began in the early 1990’s when he first switched to
painting with acrylic on canvas.
Pache recently had a huge opportunity arise when was recognized as an emerging artist and asked to have his artwork dis- played in the Los Angeles Artists Associa- tion’s 94th Annual Benefit Auction. He’s been stationed in Fort Irwin since 2014 and his artwork has been featured in an LAAA’s gallery, but with artwork in this auction usually going for $1,000 or more,
this opportunity is different.
“One becomes selected into the asso-
ciation by juried selection, as this event is also by juried selection,” Pache said. “I am very honored to be participating in the auction by donating my piece. As an emerging artist, this is truly a great step and I thank all who are making it possible.”
The featured piece is called “Cabin View” and will be on display on Saturday, August 3 at Gallery 825 on La Cienega Boulevard in Los Angeles and auction bidding can even be done online. Begin- ning July 19, you can visit paddle8.com to bid online. You can also visit laaa.org for more information.
Sgt. 1st Class Francis Pache says it’s a pretty big deal to have his artwork displayed at a premier Los Angeles art gallery as usually veteran artists are the focus.
NTC Chaplain accompanies Medal of
Honor recipient to the White House
by Garrison Public Affairs
WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Chaplain for the National Training Center/Fort Irwin, Lt. Col. Ric Brown, visited the White House in Washington, as a guest of the first, living recipi- ent from the Iraq War to receive the Medal of Honor, during ceremonies from June 24-26.
Staff Sgt. David Bellavia served with Brown in 2004 and received the honor for his service, saving an infantry squad and clearing a house of insurgents during the Battle of Fallujah.
Bellavia wrote a book called House to House, which details his experience in Fallujah and also mentions having Brown as a chaplain in the same battalion.
“As Staff Sgt. Bellavia’s Chaplain at the time of these actions, I am first grateful that he is alive to tell the tale,” Brown said. “The four losses during this operation were four, too many. It was an amazing honor to be a witness to a Soldier I know per- sonally, stand before the Commander in Chief and receive the nation’s highest honor...humbling when he invited those of us who served with him on the platform. I am glad he and those men and women of 2-2 Infantry were finally, fully recognized for their amazing actions during the 2nd Battle of Fallujah.”
Bellavia first received the Silver Star medal (the military’s third-most distinguished decoration), before it was upgraded to the Medal of Honor.
President Donald Trump presented Bellavia with the mili- tary’s highest award of valor at the White House June 25. Five
RSO
Chaplain (Lt. Col.) Brown stands next to Staff Sgt. David Bellavia-- the first, living recipient of the Medal of Honor from the Iraq War during the ceremonies in Washington, D.C.
Alex Brandon, AP
President Trump told Staff Sgt. Bellavia that he was receiving an upgrade in his award for valor, from a Silver Star, to a Medal of Honor and awarded him on June 25.
died, so that we may rest secured at home.”
Bellavia’s grandfather, Joseph Brunacini, also served in the
Army during the Normandy Campaign in World War II and earned a Bronze Star for his valor.
“I think the uniform, my Army has made us all better men, fathers, employees, husbands and citizens,” Bellavia said at his Hall of Heroes Induction ceremony.
others who also fought in Iraq were awarded their Medal of Honor posthumously.
“It’s not enough to acknowledge the fallen by name or just inscribe their names in marble as proof that they lived and died,” Bellavia said. “To truly acknowledge the fallen, we must acknowledge how and why they gave their lives. Their death wasn’t a random act or a splash of misfortune. These men and women voluntarily put themselves in harm’s way, prepared to
For more information go to home.army.mil/irwin