Honoring their Service

To honor their service on the Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims, the CAVC Bar Association commissions portraits of retiring judges of the Court. The portraits are presented to the court and are available for viewing in the courtroom. 

Bar Association Honors Judge Greene with Presentation of Portrait

The Ceremonial Courtroom of the Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit served as the elegant setting for the portrait presentation of Judge William P. Greene, Jr., held on September 27, 2011. The program took place immediately after the annual meeting of the CAVC Bar Association. In addition to invited guests, the program was open to the membership of the Bar Association. The program gave all in attendance the opportunity to honor the life and work of Judge Greene, who was appointed to the Court in November 1997 and served as Chief Judge from August 2005 until his retirement in August 2010 (he currently serves the Court in a recall capacity).

Chief Judge Bruce E. Kasold, who was Judge Greene’s immediate successor as Chief Judge, began the proceedings. The Honorable William K. Suter, Clerk of the United States Supreme Court, offered his remarks, including anecdotes of their experiences while they both served as Army Judge Advocates.

Gayle Strommen, newly-installed CAVC Bar Association President, presided over the much-anticipated “big reveal” of the portrait. The portrait, by artist Linda Bruggink, a south Alabama portrait artist, certainly impressed those in attendance. Ms. Bruggink has painted the portraits of Federal Circuit retired Chief Judge Paul Michel, current Chief Judge Randall Rader, Judge Pauline Newman, and former Secretary of State Colin Powell. The portrait certainly stands well with her other work. In addition to bringing the viewer a natural likeness of Judge Greene, the portrait included references to the important themes in Judge Greene’s life, including service to country as illustrated by the glimpses of the “Buffalo Soldiers” seen in the background of the painting. The painting was paid for entirely with contributions from the members of the CAVC Bar Association and other individuals.

Following Ms. Strommen’s presentation, Chief Judge Bruce E. Kasold accepted the portrait for the Court, where it will hang with the portraits of the other retired judges of the Court. Chief Judge Greene gave personal, heartfelt comments and acknowledged the Court, including his colleagues and law clerks, and other attendees, as well as his family members in attendance, including his wife Madeline and his mother. Lucy Gray, a former law clerk to Judge Greene, spoke on behalf of Judge Greene’s former staff, many of whom contributed to the portrait.

Chief Judge Kasold offered his own remarks acknowledging the accomplishments of Judge Greene, and adjourned the proceedings. In a reception immediately following the program, attendees had the chance to catch a glimpse of the portrait as well as to meet with Judge Greene and other members of the Court. Most importantly, the program gave the Bar Association, its members, as well as the Court and those close to Judge Greene, to reflect on his accomplishments and honor his years of service to country and to our nation’s veterans.

The Bar Association continues to raise money toward its portrait fund. Please consider donating to this worthy cause. You may send a check payable to the “CAVC Bar Association” along with a Contribution Form to: CAVC Bar Association PO Box 7992 Washington, DC 20044-7992 You may also contribute on-line by clicking on the Donate button below. If you contribute on-line, please include how you would like your name to appear on the Donor's List (for example, John Doe, Esq. or The Law Offices of John Doe). If you do not want your name to appear, please enter Anonymous or Friend of the Court. In advance, thank you for your contribution. Sincerely, Bar Association Portrait Committee   The donation may be tax deductible - please check with your tax advisor. Thank you for your support   Click here to view the completed portraits.