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Officers Club, Fort McNair, Washington D.C.
Reception at the Officers Club
Admiral Thad Allen with Rushworth
Secretary of Defense Gates, Secretary of Homeland Security Napolitano with Allen
USCG Helicopter outside the reception tent
USCG Color Guard
Admiral Allen at the podium |
Washington D.C - The official portrait painting of four-star Admiral Thad Allen, 23rd
Commandant of the U.S. Coast Guard, was unveiled at the Officer's Club at Fort McNair
in Washington D.C. Seattle artist Michele Rushworth created the portrait painting,
which measures 24" x 30", in oils on canvas.
The portrait was unveiled at a "Change of Command" ceremony during which
Admiral Allen stepped down as Commandant and Admiral Robert J. Papp assumed command
of the Coast Guard. Among the estimated 2,000 attendees at the event were Secretary
of Defense Robert Gates and Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano.
After retiring from the Coast Guard Admiral Allen went on to head up the government's
response to the BP oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico.
The portrait painting includes a map of New Orleans on the wall, commemorating Allen's
role in his widely praised response to Hurricane Katrina. A Coast Guard cap can be
seen on the side table showing the rank of Chief Petty Officer, the rank Admiral Allen's
father once held.
Artist Michele Rushworth said, "It's a great honor to have created a painting
that will become part of the historical record of the Coast Guard, to commemorate
both the organization and the achievements of a remarkable man, someone who has devoted
his life to public service. It has been a pleasure working with Admiral Allen and
I'm proud to know him."
The portrait will be permanently installed alongside those of all the prior Commandants,
at U.S. Coast Guard Headquarters in Washington, D.C.
Some comments about the work:
"The portrait looks terrific. We are pleased and you should be very proud of
your work." —Admiral Thad Allen
"Your painting is truly outstanding and is by far the best portrait of a Commandant
ever. It really took my breath away. Congratulations on creating such an excellent
and stunning work of art." —M.A. Bader, Office of Public Affairs, U.S. Coast
Guard
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