Veteran’s Mural Project

The Manteca Mural Society has narrowed down the list of interested artists to three muralists to paint the 4 th mural of the Veteran’s Mural Project.

The three artists chosen to paint a maquette for the Vietnam Mural is Jessie Marinas from Manteca, Linda Shrader & Echo Westover from Yucca Valley, Ca. and Ella Yates from Ireland.

The Manteca Mural Society received many comments and suggestions from the veterans & the community back in the spring. The consolidated list of ideas were then given to the muralists to submit a sample drawing from each of them. The artistic committee chose 3 finalists to submit a maquette which is due by November 15, 2016.

The size of the renderings will be 16” x 20” and the public & veterans will have a chance to view them at the end of November. One muralist will be chosen to paint the Vietnam Mural.

The Forgotten War

The Korean War was declared June 25, 1950 but it was never finalized. That feeling still persists for those who fought and those who lived through this conflict. Alvin Mendes pictured in the lower right photo is the only Mantecan still listed as MIA…but he is not forgotten ….

DEDICATION OF THE KOREAN WAR MURAL

The public and all veterans are invited to attend the dedication of the Korean War Mural. This is the third completed mural of “The Veterans Mural Project” sponsored by the Manteca Mural Society. The dedication is May 21, 2016 at 11:00 a.m. in the Bedquarters parking lot at Main St. and Yosemite Ave. The guest speaker is a fellow Mantecan, Eldon Regua retired as a two-star Major General in the United States Army in 2013. His first duty assignment was in West Germany in 1977 and his last assignment was in South Korea in 2013 spanning over 36 years of service to our Nation.

“FILL THE HELMET” FUND RAISER

The community is invited to participate in the “Fill the Helmet” fundraiser sponsored by the Manteca Mural Society. The funds raised will go directly for expenses to begin the Vietnam Mural. It will be the 4 th mural of “The Veterans Mural Project”. Please join us May 28, Saturday, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. in the Bedquarters parking lot at Main St. and Yosemite Ave. Just drive or walk by and drop your donations into the helmet of Manteca’s veterans and members of the Manteca Mural Society. Music provided of Rich Benavides.

Spirit of America

This mural was designed to honor men and women from Manteca who have served our country in the Armed Forces, during World War II. It includes portraits of local veterans and civilians who supported the war effort. The five blue stars at the bottom of the mural and the one gold star at the top of the mural have significant meaning. During WWII the practice of displaying the Blue Star Flag was to honor those serving in the Armed Forces. Manteca had the honor of having five brothers serving in WWII. The Gold Star is displayed if a service member is killed in action or dies in service. During a time when Manteca had a population of less than 5000, it is stunning the hundreds of citizens that entered into World War II. This mural was designed to honor the men and women from Manteca who served our country in the Armed Forces as well as those at home who supported the war effort. Our WWII mural features 8 young veterans from Manteca who served during the war; Bud Dickman was an Ace Pilot in the US Army Air Corps, Bill Castillo was in the US Army, Leland Elliott, served in the US Marine Corps, Marie Huarte Esteves served in the US Navy Reserve Waves, John Machado was in the US Navy, Avis Brewster was an US Army Air Corps nurse, Jay Scalf served in the US Coast Guard, and Woodrow Brumley was in the US Merchant Marines. Doris Williams Knodt, a civilian, supported the home front by making parts for the B-17 bomber. Also featured is Rosie the Riveter, a cultural icon, representing the women who worked in the factories and shipyards during WWII. The five blue stars at the bottom of the mural and the one gold star at the top of the mural have significant meaning. During WWII the practice of displaying the Blue Star Flag was to honor those serving in the Armed Forces. Manteca had the honor of having five Duran brothers serving in WWII. The Gold Star is displayed if a service member is killed in action or dies in service. Of the people pictured in the mural, John Machado was killed in the Pacific and left behind a Gold Star family. Like small towns across America, Manteca’s support and participation in World War II was phenomenal..

EagleHearts

This mural is a salute to the service and the sacrifices of men and women in the War on Terror. It depicts a grieving group of soldiers supporting each other as they mourn the loss of a fellow soldier. It is a very touching composition that says what we are all feeling; pride in our efforts and a hope that no one is forgotten. What do you say to a friend whose son or daughter has died in the war on terror? Muralist, Jessie Marinas, made his statement in a painting because he could not find the words to tell his friend how he felt. This mural is a salute to the service and the sacrifices of men and women in the War on Terror. It depicts a grieving group of soldiers supporting each other as they mourn the loss of a fellow soldier. It is a very touching composition that says what we are all feeling; pride in our efforts and a hope that no one is forgotten.