Two commemorative patriotic murals to honor U.S. veterans and military service members were unveiled during a ceremony Thursday night at VFW Post 1126 in Warsaw. Kathy Snell, Auxiliary president, had a vision for the community to donate their time to paint murals on the interior walls of the post. She said the murals are to remember the flag. “So many people are apathetic to our flag anymore and the Old Glory is something we need to remember,” Snell said. Tammy Davis, a local Warsaw artist and widow of veteran Thomas Davis, offered her time, supplies and talent for the project in honor of her late husband. Thomas was deployed to Vietnam twice and served in the Navy. She said she spent the past four months working on painting the murals. The soldier she painted on the Hero Tree depicts her husband, who died last November. “I’m proud of it because it honors him and others who can think of a loved one they are honoring,” Tammy said. The base coat for the mural was provided through Menards of Warsaw via Skip Miller, and lighting was donated by VFW 1126 veterans and Men’s Auxillary to the Veterans of Foreign Wars, Paul Snell and Brad Miller. Technical support for the project was offered by VFW member Frank Pifer and Mens Auxiliary member Jimmy Landon. John Sadler, McHatton Sadler Funeral Home, donated the Military Seals of Service. One of the murals is titled “American Freedom Mural” and has a large American flag with a soaring eagle as it carries a yellow ribbon in its talons. Below the flags are emblems of five branches of service: Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines and Coast Guard. There also is a message that says “We Honor Those Who Served For Freedom.” The other mural is titled “The Hero Tree.” For an adoption fee of $10 per reserved placement on the mural, it will display an engraved brass green name plate in the shape of a leaf with a service member’s name, optionally rank and branch of service with the date of life and death permanently affixed to the mural wall as a continuing honor of that person’s service. It is for veterans and active-duty servicemen and women. Rex Fife,VFW commander, thanked the community for attending the dedication and introduced Joe Thallemer, Warsaw mayor. Thallemer said the murals are something the community can look at and keep veterans in their hearts. “These murals are coming at a good time for me because last Wednesday I was honored to take my father out to Washington, D.C., on the Honor Flight with World War II veterans,” Thallemer said. “Seeing the memorials was so awe-inspiring and I got pretty emotional and it’s a real similar feeling I have today looking at the murals.” Rich Maron, Kosciusko County veteran’s service officer, congratulated the VFW on the murals. “These murals are about the people who put their life of hold and made the conscience decision to be selfless,” Maron said. Kosciusko County Purdue Extension Choir sang patriotic songs before the dedication and ceremony. To reserve a place on The Hero Tree, call 574-267-2768.
