Story by Petty Officer 2nd Class Travis DiPerna, Navy Expeditionary Combat Command
VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. On behalf of the CEC/Seabee Historical Foundation, the foundation s chairman David Nash presented a print of the oil painting, WE BUILD, WE FIGHT by artist James Dietz, to Rear Adm. Brian Brakke, commander, Navy Expeditionary Combat Command (NECC) and NECC Pacific, for display at NECC headquarters, Oct. 2.
On behalf of the CEC/Seabee Historical Foundation, David Nash, left, chairman, CEC and Richard Cellon, right, vice chairman, CEC, presents a print of the oil painting, "WE BUILD, WE FIGHT" by James Dietz, to Rear Adm. Brian J. Brakke, commander, Navy Expeditionary Combat Command (NECC) and NECC Pacific, for display at NECC, October 2. The oil painting was created in celebration of the U.S. Navy Seabees' 75th anniversary which occured on March 5, 2017. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Second Class Travis DiPerna)
Those of you who know me, know I often speak of a book titled Legacy that s about one of the most successful rugby teams of all time, said Brakke. One of the key leadership lessons in the book is this - if you get the culture right, the rest will follow. This painting represents the culture the Seabees have cultivated throughout their history and it is an honor to have it displayed at NECC headquarters."
The painting was created in celebration of the 75th Anniversary of the U.S. Navy Seabees which occurred on March 5, 2017. For 75 years, the Seabees have repeatedly demonstrated their skills as fighters and builders and while doing so they have built and fought for freedom both in peace and in war time.
Dietz went to a Seabee base in Port Hueneme, California and talked to a bunch of Seabees, said Nash. Every one of the faces in the painting are actually portraits of current active-duty Seabees.
The idea behind the painting was to capture what the Seabees stand for, continued Nash. The uniforms and equipment are representations of Seabees throughout history, from World War II to present day.
The original oil painting will be dedicated to all Seabees past, present and future and will be permanently on display at the U.S. Navy Seabee Museum in Port Hueneme, California.
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(Courtesy Photo)