Small drawings can tell great stories.

“I try to capture the mood, time and sense of a place,” said Patrick Haskett as he made a pencil sketch of Sgt. John Ordway.

A noted artist with an unparalleled and heralded ability to paint military subjects in an impressionistic manner, Haskett respects soldiers and their missions.

“I honor soldiers — whether it’s 1803 or today,” said Haskett.

One of those soldiers is Ordway.

“Sergeant John Ordway was the first sergeant of the famed Meriwether Lewis and William Clark Corps of Discovery,” wrote retired Maj. Gen. John Hemphill in an e-mail.

Hemphill is a driving force in the local chapter of the Association of United States Army, or AUSA.

“As with today’s first sergeant, he was the backbone of his unit.”

On orders from President Thomas Jefferson, Lewis and Clark conducted a successful exploration from the Mississippi River through unmapped territory to the Pacific Ocean and back.

Ordway was one of the sergeants from the young United States Army who volunteered for the expedition, which lasted from 1803 until 1806. 

During the mission, Ordway, who was third in line in command, had a number of responsibilities, such as issuing provisions, keeping registers and records, and maintaining the expedition’s security.  He also kept a journal during the expedition.

“He was a trusted young man; he was a real professional. If you were Lewis and Clark, you would have to trust him,” said Haskett.

That trust and the importance of all first sergeants are ingrained in the history of Fort Lewis, named in honor of Capt. Lewis.

On Sept. 23, 2006 — the 200th anniversary of when the Corps of Discovery successfully completed its epic mission — AUSA dedicated a bronze, larger-than-life statue of Ordway.

The statue is located in the Capt. Meriwether Lewis Memorial Park just outside of the post’s main gate.

“This is the United States Army’s only statue of a named enlisted soldier,” said Hemphill.

In order to further highlight the importance of what a first sergeant stands for, Hemphill approached and asked Haskett if he would make a painting of Ordway. Haskett accepted and began researching Ordway and making small drawings.

“The painting and high quality prints that will be reproduced will provide a way to export the meaning that first sergeants are indispensable leaders … and an essential part of the backbone of the Army,” concluded Hemphill.

That is a great story.