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American Legion Post 135 Unveils Patriotic Mural

Photo submitted to the Times Observer Warren American Legion “Chief Cornplanter” Post 135 adds a 16-by-12-foot mural, honoring the four military branches, at the 400 block of Pennsylvania Avenue.

Patriotic spirit was on full display this Fourth of July across Warren County, and nowhere was it more visible than at the corner of Liberty Street and Pennsylvania Avenue, where American Legion Post 135 added a bold, meaningful tribute to the nation’s military just in time for the celebration.

What had been an aging, overlooked portion of the building now stands proudly adorned with a striking 16-by-12-foot mural honoring the four branches of the United States military — Army, Navy, Air Force, and Marines. The massive artwork, created by Sturdevant Signs, features service members and military emblems, alongside the message: “Warren American Legion Veterans Support Warren County.”

Post 135 Treasurer Ben O’Neill said the idea was sparked during a recent Warren City Council meeting.

“I hope we can get it hung up by the Fourth,” O’Neill recalled Maurice Cashman saying at the meeting.

That hope became a mission. Sturdevant Signs, committed to the cause, even sent one of their own to drive to Columbus, Ohio, to retrieve the mural in person to ensure it would arrive in time.

“Being as large as it is, I needed city approval,” O’Neill explained. “But once the building was freshly painted and the old, dilapidated sign from a former business came down, the wall was ready — and the mural just fit perfectly.”

The sign is part of the Legion’s ongoing $300,000 “club beautification project”, which aims to honor veterans and enhance the visibility and pride of the historic “Chief Cornplanter” Post 135 at 412 Pennsylvania Avenue West.

“This is about showing our support for all veterans and the Warren County community,” said O’Neill.

And the project isn’t done yet. The legion has plans to add a painting of Chief Cornplanter himself to the rear wall of the building, expected to be completed by September.

“When that is done, the building is complete,” O’Neill said.

Starting at $3.50/week.

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