European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - October 19, 1991, Darmstadt, Hesse                                Washington Post it. Col. Frank Thomas a reservist from Utah was one Offlio army artists who depicted persian Gulf action. Desert storm artwork military tradition continue by Stephanie Griffith the Washington Post the Center of military history in Washington dc., has commissioned artists since world War ii to accompany soldiers to the Battlefield to portray War scenes. And since the Vietnam War the army has sent Soldier artists to depict the scenes at the front. An exhibition of Art from operation desert storm commissioned by the Center of military history and painted by two army reservists opened in the old guard museum at fort myer va., on sept. 23. Quot we use Soldier artists because they see the army differently Quot said Mary Lou Gjernes director of the army Art program. Quot they re looking at it from  the two artists from the Gulf War spent six weeks at the front in saudi Arabia and Kuwait making sketches and taking notes on the military Effort to remove iraqi forces from Kuwait. They later spent weeks painting in their temporary studios in Alexandria a. Capt Mario Acevedo and it. Col. Frank Thomas arrived in the persian Gulf after the informal cease fire had been declared and therefore did not see combat. They were Able to reconstruct Battle scenes based on descriptions provided by soldiers and on photographs of Batlle ravaged areas. Despite being based on second hand information the Battle scenes Quot Are still fairly dramatic Quot Thomas said. Quot they re presented from a historical  Thomas a reservist and High school Art teacher in Holden Utah created six Large works for the exhibit and was working on a seventh he hoped to include. Thomas who also served As a combat artist during the Vietnam War said most of his works depict Battle scenes Apache helicopters during a night attack Tail gunners and tanks in the thick of War. Acevedo a native of new Mexico who has completed 15 paintings so far said he took a More personal. Approach to his task. Quot most of my paintings Are focused on a Soldier the perception was it was a very technical automated War t wanted to make sure people understood that the Burden was on the soldiers Quot said Acevedo. 36. His works Are primarily Watercolours. Another show depicting operation desert shield or the military buildup in the persian Gulf closed recently at the fort myer museum. The desert shield Art depicts the rigorous but also the More relaxed moments of army life in saudi Arabia it includes scenes of soldiers playing baseball constructing bunkers washing laundry and building an outhouse. Operation desert shield began aug. 7, 1990, and ended with the initiation of hostilities by coalition troops against Iraq on Jan. 16,1991, those hostilities dubbed operation desert storm ended feb. 28. In All the army commissioned five artist soldiers to paint scenes from both military operations. The Watercolours and acrylic paintings will tour the United states going to various army bases and University campuses Gjernes said before becoming a permanent part of the Center of military history s Art collection in Alexandria. The collection already is Home to More than 10,000 works the collection includes works dating to the revolutionary War. Among the artists Are Norman Rockwell and Winslow Homer. Other branches of the armed forces have similar programs to chronicle their efforts. Acevedo said he Felt honoured but also a bit overwhelmed knowing that his artwork would enter the army collection. Quot it s not Only artistic work it s also historical work Quot Acevedo said. Quot it has to stand on its own  action Lin military express mail goes 0-for-3 it want 10 know Why the Post Ottice s two Day military express service takes longer than regular first class mail the first package i sent using this service look 12 Days to reach the West coast. Later i sent a package to the East coast it was Only two Days late. But the most frustrating of All experiences so far was when i put together a photo spread and manuscript requested by army times for a feature the package was sent Over nine Days ago and has yet to be received by their offices in Alexandria va., As i write this letter so much for deadlines. I was told by the postal employee that i can get my $14 Back who cares the Point is that the Post office failed and failed miserably it has not Only caused extreme personal inconvenience but it has denied my unit the publicity it truly deserves. I Don t feel that i am unfairly judging our postal system since three times out of three they have been late. It goes beyond Mere coincidence my advice to anyone wanting to get something to the states quickly is fax it  it hand carry it anything but the two Day military express at the local mail room. Staff sgt. Chris Cooper Sermersheim Germany Walter f. Bleiler jr., Portal investigative officer . Army postal group Europa replies we do Monitor the performance of both express and first class mail in a continuing Effort to improve the delivery times Tor All classes of mail. You Are Correct that in some instances an express mail piece lakes three or More Days to be delivered and this is the reason that the . Postal service offers you its Quot service guarantee Quot and will refund the Cost of mailing the item. Military express mail two Day service provides the fastest delivery service available from an Apo to a stateside address the latest statistics show Over 80 percent of All military express mail is delivered within the specified time trame of two Day service while the average delivery time for first class mail is 80 percent in seven Days. I cannot explain Why your express mail did not get to the army times. If you will Call me and provide the express mail number i can have it traced for you. If we can be of further assistance please Contact us at ets 379-7837/7643 or write to commander . Army postal group Europe attn Teupe Page Ops Apo 09186i to write us readers action line is the readers a court of last resort Quot striving to answer some of the questions about life overseas in a military environment or questions about policies and guidelines when other avenues Tor answers Are not readily available. If you have a question and Don t know where to turn for the answer write to readers action line co the stars and stripes Apo 09211-4211. All letters must be signed and preference will be Given to those seeking information of general interest to our readers Page 16 b the stars and stripes saturday october 19, 1991