STEVENS COUNTY, Wash. — For members of American Legion Post 54 in Chewelah, every day feels like Veterans Day when they are together, and now their century-old building reflects that dedication with a hand-painted mural.
Last spring, the American Legion Riders, led by Director Dennis MacDonald, resurfaced the front of the building to prepare it for painting. The extensive preparation work took more than a month to complete.
“We had no idea that we would spend weeks, actually over a month, just doing the renovation on the front of the building so that it could be used,” MacDonald said.
Local artist Sherri Ballman captured entire lifetimes in the mural. Each panel depicts a war scene with a figure modeled after a real local veteran.
“She was a nurse in World War II and we found out about her, and then her daughter sent us pictures and so we’re putting her in there,” said Ballman of one of the mural’s figures.
Ballman worked on one panel at a time through challenging weather conditions.
“By the time the sun hits the front of the building, the paint dries before you can even put it on there,” Ballman said. “When it started getting cold, we would bring down a propane heater and heat the building so we could keep painting,” she said.
The artist approached each panel as a creative endeavor, often letting inspiration guide her work rather than following strict timelines.
“I’ll say, ‘I’ll do a panel in two days,’ and it takes me two weeks,” Ballman said.
Ballman completed the final touches on the mural Monday morning, marking the end of months of dedicated work. The finished piece features hand-painted figures representing community members and veterans throughout the decades.
Post Commander Joe Wallace said the transformation has made a significant impact on both the Legion and the broader community.
“The place was not very inviting, and now it’s quite the benefit to the community,” Wallace said.
As Legion members in Chewelah and the greater community prepare to observe Veterans Day, the new mural is a special way to honor our local service members’ sacrifice.
For Legion members in Chewelah, the newly unveiled mural is a daily reminder of that service and sacrifice.
“It’s not just a local pub,” MacDonald said. “It’s got a purpose.”
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