Photo courtesy of Senator Al Franken's office
Photo courtesy of Senator Al Franken's office
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BRAINERD (AP) - After years of searching, a Brainerd family has finally found an original painting of their late relative hanging in the Pentagon.

Caralee Bjerkness traveled to Washington, D.C., with her 13-year-old grandson last week to see the painting of Roy Schellin. The portrait was painted by artist Charles Baskerville and depicts Schellin as a young ball turret gunner in WWII.

After researching the artist, Bjerkness contacted Sen. Al Franken's office. The Pentagon located the painting in an area that's usually not accessible to the public and set up a viewing with Bjerkness.

She had only found out about the painting of her father about 10 or 15 years ago.

Schellin was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross and a Purple Heart for his heroic service in WWII.

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