Suzanne Stewart
Staff Writer
The latest mural in Marlinton, on the side of the American Legion building, was dedicated last Wednesday, the National Day of Service on the anniversary of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attack on the United States.
It was a fitting day for dedication with the mural subject matter honoring the military service of local veterans.
The Pocahontas County Arts Council applied for a grant to hire muralist Kelson Thorne to return to Marlinton for his fourth mural in the county seat.
PCAC officer and Marlinton Elementary School fifth grade teacher Peggy Owens said she hoped it would all come together in time for the Day of Service, and she was pleased it did.
Despite getting COVID and having students miss school the previous week, Owens was able to get the project to come together. In conjunction with the mural, Owens had her students do an art project with red, white and blue glass.
Once the individual framed mosaics were placed together, they formed a diamond, which Owens said symbolized the characteristics of veterans.
“Veterans are like diamonds,” she said. “They’re the hardest substance known to mankind. They’re rare and precious. They’re beautiful beyond measure and the things that challenged me [last week] are just petty things, that wouldn’t have even slowed them down.
“If it weren’t for them, we wouldn’t be here today.”
While working with her students on the project, Owens said she realized there is an entire generation of children in this country that don’t fully understand the significance of 9/11.
“I was thinking about 9/11 and the students that are in my classroom that participated in this project weren’t even born,” she said. “They’ve never known a world with the Twin Towers. They only hear stories.
“Any one of us that was around then probably remembers exactly where we were and exactly what we were doing and exactly how we felt,” she added.
As for the theme of the mural, which is geared toward honoring all military personnel who have served and are serving in the armed forces, Owens said she realized during her research that Pocahontas County has gone above and beyond in serving its country.
“Pocahontas County is eleven percent veterans,” she said. “Eleven percent or more of this county have served time in the military and that is the third highest number in the state of West Virginia. We’ve represented very well.
“Some of our families have even had multiples,” she continued. “There is one family here – the Sharp family – that had eight sons who all served in the military. If you go up toward where the green boxes are, there’s a bridge that is dedicated to the Sharp Brothers.”
Owens next introduced two individuals – a student and a veteran – who spoke about the importance of the day and honoring veterans.
Fifth grade student Brayden Diller gave a speech about what he thinks when he thinks about veterans.
“Sometimes when people think about veterans, they think about strangers in uniforms, but when I think about what a veteran is, I think of family,” he said. “Many of my great-grandparents served in the military, including my granddad, Dwight Diller. He served in the Vietnam War. He was a local of Pocahontas County, a teacher and a great banjo player. I am proud that I have family members who served and very thankful for our military today for keeping us safe.”
Chief Master Sergeant Kim MacFarlane, who retired to Marlinton, spoke about her years in the Air Force.
“I spent thirty-nine years in the Air Force and while it wasn’t all wonderful – there were challenges – I was, of course, in the service when 9/11 happened, and we were activated,” she said. “I want to thank each and every person I ever served with, not just the military, but our first responders, our firefighters, EMTs, police. Today being the 23rd anniversary of 9/11, I think that’s very important because we are honored to serve our nation and help our communities.”
Thorne then came forward and spoke about the process that led to the mural – on a stark white background are a pair of hands presenting a folded American Flag. The hands could belong to a member of any branch of the military.
“I wanted something that could convey a powerful message in a simplistic way so whenever you drive by, it’s easy to take in and it’s powerful with a very simplistic design,” he said.
This was not the original design Thorne had for the mural, but he said he decided he didn’t want battle scenes or to have busy mural with symbols from all the military branches.
Instead, he chose a design that encompasses all branches and all service members with one specific moment in time with which all military members are familiar.
“Every time the colors are presented, and they’re taken down, they’re folded out of respect of military members who have been lost,” he said. “Being from West Virginia and Appalachia – we are the home of the region of the most Medal of Honor recipients. I think it’s very important to convey the authenticity of what makes Appalachia, Appalachia.
“We’re hardworking; we stand up for our community; we have family and that is something that’s rooted within us and also, we’re home to a lot of military personnel,” he added.
Although he did not serve in the military, Thorne said his sister works at the VA and has a PhD in psychology.
“She’s heard first-hand the horror stories that have happened to some of the military because even though the battle may be over, they have a battle that lasts an entire lifetime,” he said. “That alone deserves respect and is to be commended. I just thank you all for giving me the opportunity to be the artist you picked to represent you guys because you guys deserve all the respect in the world.”
American Legion member Barry Sharp closed the dedication ceremony with comments regarding the mural and performed an original song.
Sharp said when he was talking to Thorne as he was painting, the artist said this was his favorite project he’s ever come up with.
“I think it’s great; it’s beautiful,” Sharp added.
Sharp shared the meaning behind the 13 folds of the American Flag as it is done when the flag is retired or presented to family members at a service member’s funeral.
The 13 folds are symbolic of the following:
• The first fold of our flag is a symbol of life.
• The second fold is a symbol of our belief in eternal life.
• The third fold is made in honor and remembrance of the veteran departing our ranks, and who gave a portion of his or her life for the defense of our country to attain peace throughout the world.
• The fourth fold represents our weaker nature; as American citizens trusting in God, it is Him we turn to in times of peace, as well as in times of war, for His divine guidance.
• The fifth fold is a tribute to our country. In the words of Stephen Decatur, “Our country, in dealing with other countries, may she always be right, but it is still our country, right or wrong.”
• The sixth fold is for where our hearts lie. It is with our heart that we pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.
• The seventh fold is a tribute to our armed forces, for it is through the armed forces that we protect our country and our flag against all enemies, whether they be found within or without the boundaries of our republic.
• The eighth fold is a tribute to the one who entered the valley of the shadow of death, that we might see the light of day, and to honor our mother, for whom it flies on Mother’s Day.
• The ninth fold is a tribute to womanhood. It has been through their faith, love, loyalty and devotion that has molded the character of the men and women who have made this country great.
• The 10th fold is a tribute to father, who has also given his sons and daughters for the defense of our country since he or she was first born.
• The 11th fold represents the lower portion of the seal of King David and King Solomon and glorifies the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.
• The 12th fold represents an emblem of eternity and glorifies God the Father, the Son and Holy Ghost.
• The 13th and last fold, when the flag is completely folded, the stars are uppermost, reminding us of our national motto, “In God We Trust.