A/101 Aviation Association "Legacy Painting" presentation.

4/101 Avn Regt, Fort Campbell, KY, July 28, 2005

Wings of the Eagle battalion chosen as place for tribute painting

  

As the Army moves forward it never forgets its past.

 

Honors and Lineage are a part of most units and are recognized by every member of that organization. The pride of the patches and unit crests Soldiers wear to the unit Colors which wave in the air. Along with these symbols of lineage, the equipment of past and present Soldiers are also often a way to remember the Army's past.

 

The Soldiers of the Wings of the Eagle Battalion, 4-101 Aviation Regiment, gathered July 28 to admire a painting which showed the evolution of the aircraft which have been a part of the battalion since the Vietnam War. Along with current Soldiers from 4-101, past Soldiers and their families, who are a part of the lineage of the battalion, observed the unveiling before it was permanently hung in the halls of the battalion's headquarters building. "The 450-plus members of A/101 Avn Association who commissioned the painting felt that the men and women of 4-101 Avn. Regt. should be the first guardians of the painting and frame because they are the keepers of our legacy," said Richard Bittle, who is the Trustee and Panel Member of A/101 Avn Association. The painting serves as a reminder to our active duty comrades of the rich A/101 Aviation heritage they now represent and their responsibility to carry forth and enrich this heritage for those who will follow in the future." Bittle said the members of his association first discussed the idea of this painting in June 2004. He also said this unveiling was the first time anyone had seen the painting with its unique frame. "The painting itself was first privately shown to our A/101 Avn members at the 101st Airborne Association Snowbird Reunion in February 2005," said Bittle. The unveiling at 4-101 Avn Regt July 28 of the completed frame and painting together was the first time they have been shown together." According to Bittle, who is a former infantryman and volunteered to be a door gunner with A/101 Avn, the painting represents more than just an image on canvass, it represents the honor and legacy of his fellow association members and the current Soldiers of the Wings of the Eagle battalion.

 

"The A/101 Avn Legacy Painting is extremely important to the members of A/101Avn because together with the frame it was designed to show the history of our unit with the seven different configurations of aircraft we flew throughout our legacy," he said. “The frame was designed to show the different unit patches progression through the last 43 years and also to provide a visual guide of the seven aircraft with their relationship to different eras of our history. The painting is our way of representing the tremendous pride we have in one of the oldest and best aviation units in the world." Bittle said he had tears of satisfaction when he viewed the painting for the first time. He said the painting represents the unity of members from throughout all eras their legacy that have come together as an association dedicated to supporting its members and their families. Now all Soldiers can view their past legacy whenever the walk the halls of the Wings of the Eagle Battalion Headquarters Building. If they ever have any doubt on how the battalion has progressed through the years, all they have to do is view this tribute and see the aircraft which make the battalion the true "wings" of the eagle.

 

By SSG Kevin Doheny

159th AVN BDE PAO

July 28, 2005

Photo provided by Jerry Turner

4/101 Avn Reg Conference Room where the presentation was done. The painting (covered) donor plaques and unit flags on display before the presentation.

Photo provided by Jerry Turner

Richard Bittle opens the presentation on behalf of the A/101 Avn Association

Photo provided by Jerry Turner

Jerry Turner doing the presentation of the painting

Photo provided by Jerry Turner

Jerry Turner explaining how the painting was done and by whom during the presentation of the painting

Photo provided by Jerry Turner

Jerry Turner during the presentation of the painting

Photo provided by John and Tammy Stallings

Jerry Turner making the presentation of the painting to COL Fish and the 4/101 Avn Reg

Photo provided by Jerry Turner

Jerry Turner giving us all a history lesson

Photo provided by Jerry Turner

Comanchero Jim Pfutzner and the youngest active Comanchero unveil the painting and frame

Photo provided by John and Tammy Stallings

Comanchero Jim Pfutzner and the youngest active Comanchero unveil the painting and frame

Photo provided by John and Tammy Stallings

“A/101 AVN Legacy painting” The painting is on loan for display at 4/101 Avn Regt Hdqs, Fort Campbell, KY until such time as the new Fort Campbell museum is completed. When the museum is built the painting, frame and donor plaques will then be moved to its final resting place at the new museum.

Photo provided by John and Tammy Stallings

Jerry Turner explains what each aircraft and patch means in our legacy.

Photo provided by Jerry Turner

Jerry Turner explains what each aircraft and patch means in our legacy.

Photo provided by Jerry Turner

Col Fish, CO, 4/101 Avn Reg, proudly accepts the A/101 Avn Legacy painting. The painting, frame and donor plaques will be prominently displayed in a glass case in the lobby of Hdqs 4/101 Avn Reg for public viewing.

Photo provided by Jerry Turner

Gil Jones presents A/101 Avn Legacy print #531 to CPT Ward Comanchero 06

Photo provided by John and Tammy Stallings

CPT Ward Comanchero 06 accepts print #531 on behalf of the unit and promises that the print will stay with the unit to remind them of their legacy.

Photo provided by Jerry Turner

Tom Haligan and COL Ted Crozier watching the presentation

Photo provided by Jerry Turner

A/101 Avn veterans and freinds

Photo provided by Jerry Turner

Richard Bittle concludes the presentation and invites all in attendance to take a close look at the "A/101 Avn Legacy" painting, frame and donor plaques.

Photo provided by John and Tammy Stallings

Current Comancheros sign the unit banner. This banner was first introduced at Y2K by Marty DiOrio and has been signed by every A/101 Avn veteran and active duty member present at various reunion and events since then.

Photo provided by John and Tammy Stallings

RB poses with the painting, frame and plaques of donor’s names and certificate.

Photo provided by Jerry Turner

Some of the current Comancheros.

Photo provided by John and Tammy Stallings

A/101 Avn Association members old and new pose for a group photo

Photo provided by Jerry Turner

MAJ Smedley, XO explains the momorial to all present

Photo provided by Jerry Turner

A mix of the old and new Comancheros

Photo provided by Jerry Turner

Old and New A/101 Avn members

Photo provided by Jerry Turner

Photo provided by Jerry Turner

Photo provided by Jerry Turner

Photo provided by Jerry Turner

Photo provided by Jerry Turner

Photo provided by Jerry Turner

A 101 Aviation Association members gather at the Holiday Inn bar for fellowship.

Photo provided by Jerry Turner

A 101 Aviation Association members gather at the Holiday Inn bar for fellowship.

Photo provided by Jerry Turner

A 101 Aviation Association members gather at the Holiday Inn bar for fellowship.

Photo provided by Jerry Turner

A 101 Aviation Association members gather at the Holiday Inn bar for fellowship.

Photo provided by Jerry Turner

A 101 Aviation Association members gather at the Holiday Inn bar for fellowship.

Photo provided by Jerry Turner

A 101 Aviation Association members gather at the Holiday Inn bar for fellowship.

Photo provided by Jerry Turner

A 101 Aviation Association members gather at the Holiday Inn bar for fellowship.

Photo provided by Jerry Turner

A 101 Aviation Association members gather at the Holiday Inn bar for fellowship.

Photo provided by Jerry Turner

A 101 Aviation Association members gather at the Holiday Inn bar for fellowship.

Photo provided by Jerry Turner

A 101 Aviation Association members gather at the Holiday Inn bar for fellowship.

Photo provided by Jerry Turner

A 101 Aviation Association members gather at the Holiday Inn bar for fellowship.

Photo provided by Jerry Turner

A 101 Aviation Association members gather at the Holiday Inn bar for fellowship.

Photo provided by Jerry Turner

A 101 Aviation Association members gather at the Holiday Inn bar for fellowship.

Photo provided by Jerry Turner

A 101 Aviation Association members gather at the Holiday Inn bar for fellowship.

A/101 Aviation Legacy print order form

Copyright © 2005 A/101 AVN. All rights reserved.
Revised: 08/09/05.