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NCO puts artistic talents to work while deployed

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Tia Schroeder
  • 386th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs
SOUTHWEST ASIA (AFPN) --  Leaving his mark on his deployed location, an NCO donated more than 40 hours of his off-duty time painting a mural at the 386th Air Expeditionary Wing in Southwest Asia. 

As a civilian, Staff Sgt. Matthew Cremeans owned a small business in McAllen, Texas, painting mascots on signs for local high schools.

As a deployed member of the 386th AEW, the sergeant was happy to paint for free, he said.

"This is basically a hobby I like to do in my spare time," said Sergeant Cremeans, who is the 386th AEW consolidated tool kit NCO in charge.

It took the NCO approximately 40 hours spread out over several weeks to create his masterpiece at the Learning Resource Center for the "Read to Your Kids" program.

The program offers deployed members the opportunity to record themselves reading books to their loved ones, allowing them to keep in touch.

"It's awesome that he gave up a lot of spare time working on this project," said Master Sgt. Thomas Biller, the 386th Expeditionary Maintenance Squadron's Support Section Flight chief.

Now the children can watch their loved ones read, and enjoy a fun background created just for them.

"It's wonderful for the family members to be able to sit down and have something they can relate to instead of (just) their family member wearing DCU's readying a book," said Tech. Sgt. Sean Lorenz, the 386th EMXS night shift supervisor.

"When I first came in and saw Sergeant Cremeans painting the wall, I thought 'What is going on here?'" said Maj. Michael Rakoczy, the 386th Expeditionary Services Squadron commander.

"But I quickly realized how important his work was. There isn't a spot like this on the entire site and every time I walk past that room I'm immediately reminded of why I'm here and what I'm fighting for," the major said. "Sometimes in the day-to-day hustle, we lose sight of that, but his gift will pass on that inspiration to many future rotations."

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