By C. Todd Lopez
WASHINGTON (Jan. 13, 2009) -- The portrait of a former chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff was unveiled Jan. 13 during a ceremony at the Pentagon.
Retired Marine Corps Gen. Peter Pace served as chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff from Sept. 2005 to August 2007. His portrait, painted by artist and former Marine Peter E. Egeli, was unveiled during a ceremony attended by Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Adm. Michael G. Mullen, former CJCS retired Air Force Gen. Richard B. Myers, former Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld and other current and former high-ranking civilian executives and officers.
Prior to the unveiling of the painting, Pace thanked Rumsfeld for nominating him for the chairman position, and also reflected on some of the decisions he made while serving.
"I've had 15 months to think about what has gone right and what hasn't ... I certainly made some wrong recommendations, that if I could take them back and change them, I would -- given the knowledge of today," Pace said. "But also, given the exact same data, at the exact same time in history, I would give the exact same advice."
Pace also expressed the loss he feels for the camaraderie experienced by those who serve in uniform.
"I miss it," he said. "I miss being able to reach out and touch those in uniform. If I could find a way to serve the nation again, I would."
The portrait of Pace places the former senior military leader on a simple red background where he looks back at the viewer. The painting will be displayed in a corridor of the Pentagon along with portraits of other former chairmen.
