Photo By Maj. Brian Hare | U.S. Army Spc. Andre Smith, 787th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion, applies...... read more read more
CAMP TAJI, Iraq – When the 787th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion (CSSB) took command of their mission on May 5 at Camp Taji, one of the first things they did as a unit was to look for ways to make improvements to their work areas, including their new headquarters building.
The 787th CSSB works with units under their operational control as Task Force Grizzly, a task force that provides sustainment support to U.S. and Coalition Forces in support of Operation Inherent Resolve.
Task Force Grizzly immediately began projects to make aesthetic enhancements to the buildings they inherited on Camp Taji soon after moving in, with the intent of displaying a sense of pride in their mission during their time here.
"Upon arrival at Camp Taji, I knew that I would make area beautification a priority,” said Capt. Johnathan Peabody, commander, 787th CSSB, Headquarters and Headquarters Company. “This will be our home for the next year and we must take pride in it. We need to make it our own."
One of the Soldiers Task Force Grizzly turned to for these aesthetic improvements included U.S. Army Spc. Andre Smith, a 91D Tactical Power Generation Specialist known throughout the unit for his creativity and artistic ability.
"Spc. Smith is an excellent Soldier who was actually handpicked for this mission. He consistently volunteers for extra duties,” said 1st Sgt. Timothy Small, 787th CSSB, Headquarters and Headquarters Company. “The task of painting the howitzer in front of the Battalion Headquarters was right up his alley due to his extraordinary artistic skills.”
Smith said that he started producing artwork as far back as elementary school.
“Back in fourth grade, my teacher told us after reading a particular book to design our dream zoo,” said Smith. “When I was done I showed the teacher and she was just blown away, she showed everybody and the other teachers and the next thing I know I’m an artist.”
Smith later presented his drawing to his mother, who offered him encouragement to continue drawing, telling him that drawing ability runs in their family and asking him not to neglect his talent.
“After that I’ve been drawing non-stop,” said Smith.
A self-taught artist, Smith has been using his skills to benefit the Army units he’s belonged to since the beginning of his service as a Soldier, as well as an outlet for stress relief during his off-duty time.
“In Basic Training I designed our platoon t-shirts,” said Smith. “It takes my mind off of things, I can be creative and forget everything else for a while.”
Smith also recommended art as a creative outlet for other Soldiers.
“Even if you’re not good at drawing, it doesn’t matter if you’re drawing stick figures, just draw away and watch how it puts your mind at ease,” said Smith. “It’s relaxing, so if you have nothing else, give it a try.”
Future projects Smith will complete for Task Force Grizzly include painting a mural on a nearby T-Wall, in addition to his duties in support of training and maintenance.
“It's Soldiers like Spc. Smith who will make this mission successful," said Small.
Following his deployment, Smith plans to study architecture as a full-time student in his hometown of Atlanta, Georgia.
| Date Taken: | 05.29.2018 |
| Date Posted: | 05.29.2018 05:42 |
| Story ID: | 278633 |
| Location: | CAMP TAJI, IQ |
| Hometown: | ATLANTA, GEORGIA, US |
| Web Views: | 256 |
| Downloads: | 2 |
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