Members of VFW Post 7319 are sponsoring a mural to honor area veterans. We feel that those who served our country in time of war and peace should be recognized with a lasting tribute to their contributions to our great nation. We have talked to the owner of James Drug and been given approval to design and paint a mural on the north wall of the building.

We have contacted Mickey Harris, a local artist who is originally from Tennessee, but who now lives in Menno, SD. You can see his artwork on many buildings and signs throughout our area. He has agreed to design and paint our mural.

The concept is to include all major conflicts in which soldiers, sailors and airmen of the Wagner area have served in, beginning with WWI and continuing through WWII, Korea, Vietnam and the Gulf Wars.

Each scene will depict soldiers and equipment from that conflict. We told Mickey what we wanted in some of the scenes and he took it from there to give us the design pictured above. There will still be minor changes, but for the most part this is close to the finished product. The artist will be working on the mural this winter with completion some time next spring.

The mural will measure 8 feet high and 40 feet long. It will not be painted on the side of the building but instead painted on 4x8 sheets of metal. A rail system will be attached to the building for the panels to fit into and be held securely. The mural will have a coating to prevent damage in cases of vandalism with spray paint. If it is sprayed, the paint can be removed with a solvent without damaging the picture if done within a few hours.

Lights will be placed above the mural for evening viewing and to help control vandalism. We will also have security cameras installed with signs indicating that you are being watched.

The estimated cost of the mural is $16,000. With lighting and security cameras, the estimate increases to $18,000. We would like to make this a community project. Donations will be accepted from VFW members, community members and community businesses and organizations. We will also plan fund raisers if necessary. Donations may be sent to our Post Quartermaster, Jerry Seiner at 39396 288th St., Armour, SD 57313.

Please contact one of our mural committee members who include Jerry Seiner, Mark Roberts, Dennis, Clemens, Don Hubbard, Gary Beeson, Tony Krcil or Danny Rezac with any questions.