| Armed Forces Entertainment has joined the family of Department of Defense (DoD) agencies that have displays featured through the hallowed halls of the Pentagon. Installed on March 2, 2009, the Armed Forces Entertainment representation is a 16-panel mural measuring 80.5 feet long and 9.5 feet high. As the official DoD agency responsible for providing entertainment to U.S. troops stationed overseas, Armed Forces Entertainment developed a mural-style design that showcased musicians, comics, sports celebrities and stars of the screen, performing for the troops.
“We’re not only excited to literally be a part of the Pentagon building, but we’re also proud of our unique display,” explained Chief of Armed Forces Entertainment, Air Force Colonel Ed Shock. “It clearly depicts what our organization is about. We hand-picked photos of artists that have toured for us and we feel the images we selected highlight these performers fulfilling our mission of bringing a piece of home to our troops overseas through entertainment.”
The corridor that the Armed Forces Entertainment display resides in is currently under construction.
After renovations to that portion of the building are complete, the corridor will become the main pathway to a new food court. Because of the heavy-traffic through the corridor, it is anticipated that the Armed Forces Entertainment display will be viewed by anywhere from 100 to 1,000 people daily.
“This display is actually in a great spot because it is located in the first “Wedge” of the building to be renovated,” explained Mike Bryant, Pentagon building manager.
Pentagon displays can range in scope from individual plaques to museum-quality exhibits that stretch 600 ft in length. Requests for representation in the form of a display within the Pentagon are considered and voted on by a Corridor Committee made up of members of Washington Headquarter Services and the five military departments. Qualification as a DoD organization, compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act and aesthetics are among the stringent requirements that are considered for selection. Commercial displays are prohibited.
“ One reason for the design of the display was that we wanted a unique way to thank our performers for what they do for the troops,” said Shock. “You know, not everyone can say that their picture is up on the wall in the Pentagon, let alone a picture 9.5 feet tall.”
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Armed Forces Entertainment is the lead Department of Defense agency for providing entertainment to U.S. military personnel serving overseas, with priority given to those in contingency operations and at remote and isolated locations. The Department of the Air Force is the executive agent of Armed Forces Entertainment. Founded in 1951, Armed Forces Entertainment brings a touch of home to more than 500,000 troops annually, embracing the best of Americana that stretches across all genres of entertainment. Visit www.armedforcesentertainment.com for more information.
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