County of mural: Moniteau County
Location of mural: 207 E. North St., east side of bldg., California
Painted by: D. Holliday
Date of dedication: 11-11-2011
"Last summer, that exposed wall started deteriorating, making it a safety hazard. So, I hired a concrete repair expert to refurbish it. Upon its completion, I thought: “Now, is the perfect time for a mural.” The concrete repair specialist recommended a local artist, and the artist and I began discussing ideas.
"We decided that the Pulitzer Prize-winning Raising of the Flag on Iwo Jima image would be the mural's centerpiece. Surrounding it: an Army Jeep loaded with artillery, a Black Hawk helicopter, a Stealth Bomber, the USS Missouri battleship and six flagpoles. Five of these flagpoles would represent each of the five branches of the military. The sixth flag would be the Missouri state flag, which represents the Missouri National Guard. Finally, as the mural fades out, we wanted a view of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, from Arlington National Cemetery, in Arlington, Va.
"The artist started the mural in July and completed it in November. I unveiled it in early December. Shortly thereafter, I received hand-written notes from veterans thanking me for the mural. I was beyond touched, as, again, it is these brave men and women who deserve the thanks.
"I dedicate this mural to all the veterans from Moniteau County (my local county) who have served in any capacity, to the grandfather I never met who served in World War I, to my father-in-law who served in World War II and Korea, to my great uncle who served in World War II and to all my peers who served in Vietnam." ~ Optometric Management, Volume: 47 , Issue: April 2012, page(s): 64 by Don Vanderfeltz, O.D., CALIFORNIA, MO.