New Veterans Mural Still In Progress

By Kendra Bobowick

She hoped a new mural honoring Newtown’s veterans would have been unveiled by now, but it is not ready yet, said planner Laurie McCollum.

“It’s going to be quite a while, we are still fundraising and adding to the mural,” she said. Recent months of planning had initially aimed to reveal the finished work on Veterans Day, which passed earlier this month. She has also asked local artist David Merrill to add several more details to the work, which will hang in the Newtown Municipal Center once completed. She wants him to paint in a additional monument — each branch of the armed services will be represented in some way on the mural, which will include names of Newtown’s service men and women since 1971.

Mr Merrill is also meticulous. “He is so passionate about painting the names,” Ms McCollum said. “He wants to take his time and paint each one like it is the only one.”

Ms McCollum, a member of the local chapter of The Blue Star Mothers of America, hopes the new mural will pick up where Newtown’s list of veterans leaves off at the year 1971 in Mr Merrill’s earlier murals at Edmond Town Hall. Ms McCollum, with help from Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 308 members, has been soliciting the new list of names this year, also including any names that may not have made it into the first mural.

Ms McCollum did not want to give away details earlier this year for how the mural will turn out, but had hinted, “[Mr Merrill] has a vision, luckily for us.” The work will be an honor to the veterans and may incorporate the archways on the long central hall at the municipal center. In recent weeks Mr Merrill has revealed details, including some of the patriotic images of soldiers, emblems, and military scenes, vehicles, and more.

“This is a big undertaking; a lot of names and a lot of work,” Ms McCollum said.

Eligible veterans include those living in town now, or who are native to Newtown. Families or veterans in the service since 1971 or who may not have been included in the earlier mural should contact Ms McCollum at 203-788-4079.