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Mural represents pride at JBLM

Motivating airmen for years to come

Senior Airman Skye Vicchio, 627th Logistics Readiness Squadron war reserve materiel manager, draws the border of the Air Education and Training Command emblem. Photo credit: Airman 1st Class Jacob Jimenez

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Five weeks of lectures, book work and staring at white walls is not the reputation some airmen want for the Julius A. Kolb Airman Leadership School at Joint Base Lewis-McChord. In an effort to enrich the schoolhouse, three airmen from the Rising Four recently painted a mural for the school's learning resource center.

More than 10 feet wide and 8 feet high, the mural was designed and painted by Senior Airman Kyle Simpson, 62nd Maintenance Group maintenance analyst, Airman 1st Class Brittany Keiffer, 62nd Aerial Port Squadron cargo processer and Senior Airman Skye Vicchio, 627th Logistics Readiness Squadron war reserve materiel manager.

"This was a joint effort," said Simpson. "We wanted this mural to represent the pride we take in what we do here at JBLM."

The three airmen designed and sketched out every inch of the mural. So far, the team of artists have dedicated more than 30 hours working on the nearly completed project. The process involves tediously drawing the design free hand, then filling in the design with paint.

"I love painting and this was a great opportunity to do what I love while giving back," said Simpson.

The mural depicts a waving American flag set as a backdrop for the U.S. Air Force seal, Air Education and Training Command seal, Airman Leadership School emblems, and the nose of a C-17 Globemaster III in silhouette.

"This was my first mural," said Vicchio. "I believe it will have a lasting impact and will be seen by many. I think it will be cool to see it when I come here in the future, knowing I helped to make that happen."

Master Sgt. Timur Kuzu, 62nd Airlift Wing ALS commandant, along with members of his staff, originally came up with the idea of painting the mural, but did not know anyone who could create it, so they began searching.

"I put out the word through the Rising Four and they more than fulfilled my request," said Kuzu. "We wanted to transform the school and visually help the students along, and through this mural and I believe we have."

"This is one of six projects I am working on," said Simpson, whose own artwork covers his dorm room walls. "I volunteered because I want others to see this as a reminder of why we serve, and to help inspire students to strive harder."

According to Vicchio, the colorful mural is just what the learning resource center needed.

"I think anytime you add art to a room, you are adding life, and it can be motivating to anyone," she said. "This is where our future leaders will come to learn. I think it's important for them to have a visual reminder of our values."

To see the completed mural, email timur.kuzu@us.af.mil.

Airman 1st Class Jacob Jimenez is a journalist with the 62nd Airlift Wing Public Affairs.

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