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Thursday, May 15, 2008, 5:30-8:00 pm
Prints will be available for purchase for $50. All proceeds will be donated to the Military Officers' Benevolent Corporation. Contact South Shore Gallery at (813) 645-0483 or beth@southshoregallery.com if you wish to preorder prints.
Hamburgers and hot dogs will be available.
The JROTC from East Bay High School will be presenting colors at 6:15 p.m.
Media coverage:
Interview with Fred Rothenbush on Fox 13
Servicemen Light Up His Canvases, by Elaine Markowitz, South Shore News & Tribune
Assault into the Sangin River Valley “That’s What Heroes Do”
On May 30, 2007, the 82nd Combat Aviation Brigade (Task Force PEGASUS) led by Task Force CORSAIR with elements of Task Force DESERT HAWK and Task Force TALON air assaulted the 1st Battalion, 508th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team (Task Force ONE FURY – The Theater Tactical Force) of the 82nd Airborne Division into Kajaki, a known Taliban stronghold within the Upper Sangin River Valley in the northern Helman Province of Afghanistan. OPERATION KULANG HELLION was the largest air assault since the onset of OPERATION ENDURING FREEDOM and became a defining moment against a determined enemy force. This coalition assault force, comprised of American, Canadian, British and Dutch forces, demonstrated valorous combat action by seizing key objectives, destroying insurgent forces and restoring security while aiding the terrorized Afghan people within the Upper Sangin River Valley.
The feats and heroism by the air assault force throughout the battle were not without loss. One CH-47 Chinook helicopter (call sign Flipper 75) was shot down while exiting the objective area after its troop insertion was complete. With the battle raging on for several hours, an anti-tank platoon and scout platoon from Task Force ONE FURY with a small Special Forces Detachment, without orders from higher, took the initiative and moved to and secured the crash site despite intense enemy resistance. ONE FURY Troopers and Task Force PEGASUS AH-64 Longbow crews fearlessly fought through ambushes and hundreds of determined enemy, securing the downed aircraft and crew...because that’s what heroes do.
While the ground combat raged on, Task Force PEGASUS flight crews continued their mission by inserting the remainder of Task Force ONE FURY by CH-47 Chinook and UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters, landing in the face of the enemy forces while AH-64 Longbow helicopters engaged enemy positions and provided supporting fire to the Task Force ONE FURY. Despite the loss of an aircraft and intense enemy fire, Task Force PEGASUS aircrews continued the mission without hesitation, inserting remaining forces on time and on target because the lives if the Troopers on the ground and the success of the operation depended on it...because that’s what heroes do.
After the mission, the Task Force ONE FURY Commander conveyed his reassuring words of condolence and gratitude by stating, “As parachute infantryman, we have not lost sight of the fact that the crews continued to deliver their chalks to the objective area and allowed our Paratroopers to get their feet on the ground, despite their loss. We hope you and your team can take comfort in the fact that on this crew’s last flight, they accomplished their mission.” As you visualize the assault into the Sangin River Valley, imagine the feats of heroism of all involved and never forget the devotion of the air and ground forces as they were aviators, crewmembers and Paratroopers, giving selflessly for each other and a grateful nation. They accomplished their mission...because that’s what heroes do.
About Fred RothenbushA fifth generation professional artist, born March 6, 1949, Rothenbush knew his destiny at the age of 4 and began exhibiting at age 13.
Fred’s skills range from wildlife, hunting dogs, birds, portraits and a specialty called “Kids, Doing Their Thing.” Art has always been Fred’s life and he says he’ll never get enough.
Rothenbush has hunted quail with President Jimmy Carter and visited with President Ronald Reagan, and has his works in the collections of three other Presidents and various entertainers, including Elvis Presley, Porter Wagoner and Tennessee Ernie Ford, among others. He has appeared on numerous TV hunting shows, talk shows, and was invited to exhibit in Paris in 1983.
Fred does a rare work called “Cop and Military Art,” painting law enforcement and U.S. military personnel. Highway patrols, sheriffs, police and U.S. military are among some of the agencies dear to him. Fred was named an honorary member of the U.S. Army baseball team. He was also designated as on Honorary Deputy for his hard work and dedication to the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Department.
Fred now exhibits one man shows and uses his works to raise funds for various law enforcement and U.S. military benefit funds, Ducks Unlimited and child benefit programs, among others. He illustrated hunting author Gene Hill’s book “Shotgunner’s Notebook.” Fred is a member of “The Portrait Institute” and is listed in the 1981-82 American Artists of Renown.
Fred says his greatest honor “is the debt I so greatly owe my Lord and Savior for the gift He has allowed me to share with others. To Him I owe it all.”