December 7, 1941 was the 80th anniversary of the bombing of Pearl Harbor. May 4, 2022 marked the 80th anniversary of the Battle of the Coral Sea. This was a major naval engagement between the Imperial Japanese Navy and the naval forces of the United States and Australia. It was the first battle in history where the ships involved were not in sight of each other.
Dad was drafted in World War II and was on the USS Yorktown during the Battles of Coral Sea and Midway. After the war, he earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees (eventually his doctorate) and served 20 years as a naval chaplain, retiring with the rank of captain. Dad left this life in 2010.
Last December, my brother, Paul (Chaplain, Colonel, US Army, Retired) and I republished one of Dad’s books: The USS Yorktown at Midway. We gave it a new introduction, a new final chapter, and published it under the title of the first chapter of the book: Dead in the Water. Richard DeRosset, a Navy veteran, military historian, world-renowned artist and one of Dad’s close friends, heard about the book and called me.
In memory of the Battles of Coral Sea (May 1942) and Midway (June 1942), and in honor of Dad, Richard painted a 24″ x 48″ image of USS Yorktown (CV-5) and USS Lexington (CV-2) in the Battle of the Coral Sea. Richard wanted to officially introduce him to me, Dad’s eldest son.
This day was Sunday, April 24, 2022.
Quoting “www.derossetpaintings.com/about-the-artist.html”, Richard spends as much time researching a particular subject or historical event as he does painting it. His works are exhibited on canvas, paper, fabric, and murals around the world, including the United States, United Kingdom, France, Mexico, Vatican, Republic of Malta, and Russia, to name a few. name a few. In the United States, Richard’s works are displayed in numerous museums, including the Smithsonian Institution; The President George Bush Memorial Gallery; The Port Columbus Civil War Naval Museum in Columbus, Georgia; the Patriot Museum in Ohio; Nationally recognized Naval War College and Maritime and Aerospace Museums in San Diego, California.
Richard’s major ongoing art project is helping to restore and beautify the San Diego Veteran’s Museum. In this museum he painted seven murals (which took five years) and donated a fine collection of individual paintings to the museum. He has been selected as official artist for many national and international associations, galleries and museums. Richard DeRosset has become one of the nation’s most sought after marine artists. Richard maintains his extensive library and art studio in San Diego, California. He lives in Lemon Grove, near San Diego, California. (Contact him at [email protected])
After presenting the Sunday morning message at the Lemon Grove Community Church where Dad had been the associate pastor under my brother, George (Chaplain, Captain, USN, Retired), people gathered in the communion hall. Pastor Dane gave a brief account of the impact of the Linzey family on the community, the nation and in his own life, then Richard introduced me to the painting of the USS Yorktown and the USS Lexington in battle of the Coral Sea. But he surprised me with another: The USS Yorktown in the Battle of Midway.
There’s more to Richard than meets the eye. He credits all of his talent, skills, and energy to the Lord Jesus Christ. What we don’t see is the tapestry of Richard’s own life, his journey, which created Richard, the Painter. But Richard says everyone has a story that can be equal to their own – if only we stop and think about it.
Carol and I have several tapestries hanging on our walls. The images represented on the front are magnificent and one sometimes wonders how the artist did it. But when you flip it over and look at the back, it looks like a mess. However, it is the crisscrossing of the stitching in the background that comes together and produces a beautiful piece of art on the front.
Romans 8:28 helps us understand. And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God and are called according to his purposes.
In difficult times as well as in good times, turn to the Lord Jesus, the greatest artist, and trust Him to help and guide you. By learning to relate to Jesus, you can learn to help and bless others as Richard does.
– S. Eugene Linzey is an author, mentor and speaker. Send your comments and questions to [email protected] Visit his website at www.genelinzey.com.
