Command
8"x 10"
Oil on Canvas
by S. Moar

This painting is a tribute to the great two-part episode that aired during the fourth season entitled "Hills are for Heroes". It is the story of a Lieutenant and a  platoon of men who are ordered time and again to take out two german bunkers guarding a strategic road. After many attempts to get up the hill and the loss of half his men, the mission is finally accomplished........ only they are ordered to pull back with the rest of the Company and abandon the hill.

Directed by the series co-star Vic Morrow (Sgt. Saunders) this episode stands the test of time and teaches many lessons not just about war, but life itself.  The central focus of the story is on Lieutenant Hanley (portrayed by Rick Jason) and how he is forced to deal with the burden of leadership.  He is a character that wears his lieutenant's bars well: he is calm, dignified, cares about his men, and always does his best to carry out the task handed to him, no matter what it costs him on a personal level.

I chose the lighting of my painting carefully to reflect this, and portray Saunders as a supporting character. The strong contrast around the Lieutenant's face is
intended to draw the viewer's eye to the somber expression of a character who convincingly leads us through moments of high elation and the depths of despair, offering to us a view of how it must feel to bear the weight of command.

S. Moar