Community Corner
"Project Newtown Troops and Veterans" Commissions New Mural by Artist David Merrill
The first section of the 12 foot by 12 foot mural by Merrill is viewed. More veteran names are requested. A fundraiser is also planned.
"We wanted our veterans to be honored. I knew of David's work so I took a long shot and called him," said military Mom Laurie McCullum, a member of the Blue Star Mothers, Chapter 4 in Bethel.
This is how the new veterans mural idea began, and culminated in forming a committee named "Project Newtown Troops and Veterans." Its aim is to raise funds for the mural that will be placed in the Newtown Municipal Center.
The new mural will honor Newtown veterans, and the men and women presently serving, listing names starting from 1971, which is where the present memorial leaves off at Edmund Town Hall. The new mural will also include any names left off of that original list.
Members of the "Project Newtown Troops and Veterans" committee are Blue Star Mothers Laurie McCullum and Kaki Taylor, Chief Petty Officer of the Navy Sea Bees and former VFW Commander Danny Kearns, VFW Post Commander Jamie Rebman, Marine Corps Veteran Phil Lombardo, and Vietnam Veteran Jay Gill.
Information was just received after these photos were taken, that Kearns is being deployed to Afghanistan.
McCullum enlisted the help of local artist David Merrill to design and create the mural, who graciously agreed to do the project while funds are raised. Merrill is known for his "Old Glory" American flag painted on trees on Route 302 in Newtown, which is a tribute on Howard Lasher's property, dedicated to Lasher's nine friends, and one colleague's son, that died during the 9/11 tragedy.
Merrill is a veteran of the Korean War and served from 1954 to 1957. He was stationed in Ft. Knox in Kentucky at one point and said he missed New England. "I went to the PX and bought a paint by number kit. I always loved art but never thought it would become a life's work. I had a picture in my mind of a dirt road and a barn, the first thing I painted. Then I began to take art seriously after that first painting, and mostly painted scenery of New England. Then I did the 9/11 memorial flag on the trees."
The "Project Newtown Troops and Veterans" committee members and artist David Merrill gathered at the VFW Post 308 in Newtown on Monday, July 30, to view the first 6 foot by 4 foot section of the mural Merrill had in progress.
The design included a military scene on the upper right, military seals along the bottom, and the words "To Those Who Serve Our Nation We Shall Forever…" Merrill indicated that the complete phrase will be "To Those Who Serve Our Nation We Shall Forever Be Grateful and You Will Never Be Forgotten." Merrill said the list of veterans names will be added, along with a flag and border design, and the top will read "Newtown Veterans."
When completed, the mural will be 12 feet long by 12 feet high, a rectangle shape with an arched design at the top. It is painted with acrylic on exterior MDF and will eventually be varnished, Merrill said.
The mural project was started on May 1, 2012 and Merrill plans on completing the work by Veterans Day weekend, when the mural will be unveiled.
The location for the mural was chosen in conjunction with First Selectman Pat Llodra. McCullum said she wanted the mural to be somewhere near the main offices and it will be located in the front lobby on the left.
"Project Newtown Troops and Veterans" is also planning a fundraiser on Saturday, September 29, at the Newtown Country Club at 6pm, said McCullum. They plan on having a raffle for items such as a wine baskets from Cork-N-Barrel, a "Pasta Night Out" from Lorenzo's, and many more prizes. Artist David Merrill will be signing lithographs.
More information about raffle tickets is to come, said McCullum. They also want residents to notify them about veterans or those presently serving, names that should be included in the mural.
For more information contact Laurie McCullum: 203-788-4079 or lauriem30@sbcglobal.net
