The Planet War II-era cannon along Sugar Street in St. Clairsville is searching a lot much better 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 performing his aspect to honor other regional veterans.

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

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

Flanagan mentioned that even though he is not confident 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 negative shape. Out of all of the ones I’ve completed, this a single was a mess,” he mentioned.

Initial 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 additional visible.

“It’s just a entertaining issue to do. My mom taught me to aid when I can,” he mentioned.

Flanagan does all of the labor for the cannon restorations no cost of charge either by himself or with the aid 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 performing I went outdoors and told him how excellent it looked,” she mentioned.

Pugh mentioned members of the neighborhood like Flanagan make her proud to perform in Belmont County. “It’s so significant 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 mentioned.

Flanagan previously restored two Planet War II cannons in Bethesda exactly where he lives — a 90-mm cannon close to the municipal constructing 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 mentioned he restored his initial 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 regional veterans, exactly where he stands at interest at the cemetery gate whilst the burials take location.

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

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

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