22nd MEU Marines meet legendary Marine artist, view works 

Col. Charles H. Waterhouse shared his artwork with Marines from the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit during a gallery exhibition, Nov. 9, 2008, at the Salmagundi Art Club in New York.

The gallery sponsored an exhibition of his paintings and sculptures that showed the history of the United States Marine Corps from its colonial origins to the present.

"In my opinion, the whole exhibit was interesting," said Cpl. Tara M. Emerick, a military police officer with Combat Logistics Battalion 22 and native of Port Hope, Mich. "It caught my eye how he went through the different time periods; it helped me understand what he experienced as a Marine through his paintings."

Approximately 40 Marines attended the exhibit and viewed epic events in Marine Corps history through Waterhouse's vivid works. Marines and other distinguished guests celebrated with a dinner and a cake-cutting ceremony celebrating of the 233rd Marine Corps birthday.

"A small group of Marines came out tonight and were able to get together and learn about Colonel Waterhouse's artwork," said Emerick. "His paintings weren't just color on paper; it's a piece of history that will be remembered forever."

Waterhouse is a World War II veteran of Iwo Jima and other battlefields, and he is the only person to have held the position of Resident Artist of the United States Marine Corps.

"A picture is worth a thousand words," said Waterhouse, the 85-year-old artist. "Walk around here and they will speak to you."

Later that evening, Waterhouse presented a new original work to the Salmagundi Art Club entitled "New York Tea Party," depicting a revolt similar to the Boston Tea Party in New York Harbor.

The 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit is a scalable, multipurpose force of more than 2,200 Marines and sailors. Commanded by Col. Gareth F. Brandl, it consists of its Ground Combat Element, Battalion Landing Team, 3rd Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment; Aviation Combat Element, Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 263 (Reinforced); Logistics Combat Element, CLB-22; and its Command Element.

The 22nd MEU is currently conducting pre-deployment training and is scheduled to deploy this spring. For more information about the 22nd MEU, visit the unit's website at www.22meu.usmc.mil.
-30-