GREATEST GENERATIONS MURAL

The World War II mural in Visalia was dedicated in 2006. Over the years, it has deteriorated because of sun damage and other weather conditions. Six panels need to be replaced and repainted, but the Visalia Veterans Committee doesn’t have the money for the improvements. 

Dan Kelley, chair of the Visalia Veterans Committee, mural artist Glen Hill and two other volunteers will remove the panels and take them to the studio to be repainted and coated. The one thing they won’t do is change the theme of the mural.

“It’s accurate from the beginning to the end of the war, and the main thing is that we need to repaint it and reseal it so it lasts more than 10 years,” Kelley said. 

Artist Glen Hill never intended to repaint the mural, but when he saw how passionate and enthusiastic these veterans were, it was hard for him to say no. There were a few roadblocks over the design, but Hill says the veterans stuck to their guns.

“To their credit, they fought, stood their ground and made their vision happen, and I have the highest respect for their fortitude and strength and courage,” Hill said. 

Honor Flight board member Al Perry says it’s important for these veterans to restore the mural.

“The patriotism of this valley is sometimes reflected in their willingness to build monuments or statements, permanent monuments or statements to how much they respect what veterans did.”