The Planet War II-era cannon along Sugar Street in St. Clairsville is searching 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 creating a mark on the area by restoring some pieces of military history and carrying out his portion 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 completed, this a single was a mess,” he stated.

Initially he powerwashed the cannon and scraped off the dirt and old paint ahead of 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 a lot more visible.

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

Flanagan does all of the labor for the cannon restorations free of charge of charge either by himself or with the assistance 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 vital 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 Planet War II cannons in Bethesda exactly where he lives — a 90-mm cannon close to the municipal developing at the Murray Household 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 1st 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 consideration at the cemetery gate though the burials take spot.

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

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

Today’s breaking news and a lot more in your inbox