Belmont County Veteran Restores Globe War II Cannon in St. Clairsville | News, Sports, Jobs

The Globe War II-era cannon along Sugar Street in St. Clairsville is hunting a lot greater these days, thanks to the efforts of Bethesda resident and Army veteran Robert Flanagan. (Photo Supplied)

ST. CLAIRSVILLE — U.S. Army veteran Robert “Bob” Flanagan is generating a mark on the area by restoring some pieces of military history and carrying out his element to honor other neighborhood veterans.

Most lately, Flanagan restored a 90-mm cannon from 1944 that is situated on Sugar Street in St. Clairsville.

Flanagan stated this is the fifth cannon he has restored in the Ohio Valley. He generally cleans the cannons and paints them the original Army green colour.

Flanagan stated that while he is not certain if it has noticed any wars, the cannon in St. Clairsville had a lot of put on. He estimated that restoring the cannon took about 33 hours.

“It was in poor shape. Out of all of the ones I’ve accomplished, this 1 was a mess,” he stated.

Very first he powerwashed the cannon and scraped off the dirt and old paint prior to adding a fresh coat of Army green. Flanagan also painted the cement slab it stands on and trimmed the landscaping about the cannon to make it additional visible.

“It’s just a enjoyable factor to do. My mom taught me to assist when I can,” he stated.

Flanagan does all of the labor for the cannon restorations totally free of charge either by himself or with the assist of other volunteers.

Jackee Pugh, tourism director for Belmont County, got to watch Flanagan in action.

“I reside close to the cannon on Sugar Street, so when I saw what he was carrying out I went outdoors and told him how excellent it looked,” she stated.

Pugh stated members of the neighborhood like Flanagan make her proud to operate in Belmont County. “It’s so critical to see neighborhood members providing back and volunteering their time to restore landmarks in St. Clairsville and Belmont County. It shows a level of adore and commitment to the neighborhood,” she stated.

Flanagan previously restored two Globe War II cannons in Bethesda exactly where he lives — a 90-mm cannon close to the municipal creating at the Murray Loved ones Memorial Plaza and a 37-mm cannon at Ebenezer Cemetery. He also restored a cannon at Memorial Park in Barnesville. Flanagan stated he restored his initially cannon eight years ago.

Flanagan served in the U.S. Army from 1965-67. He also served as Bethesda’s mayor from 2000-03. When he is not restoring cannons, Flanagan is attending the funerals of neighborhood veterans, exactly where he stands at interest at the cemetery gate when the burials take spot.

He also volunteers by playing guitar at neighborhood nursing properties. Flanagan has worked as a pilot all through his life as effectively.

“I’ve accomplished every little thing I’ve wanted to do in life,” he stated.

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