LANCASTER – A crowd of residents gathered Saturday afternoon to witness the unveiling of a military-themed mural at Chase’s Lancaster branch on The BLVD. The unveiling was timed to honor Veteran’s Day, Chase executives said.
“To me it is a tribute to the men and women of the military… past, present, and future,” said Chase Lancaster branch manager Matthew Herbstritt. “It is a dedication to the families of our military and it is a daily reminder to all the community of the sacrifices of those men and women of the military and their families.”
The mural was designed by Lancaster artist and veteran Melinda Vetter-Dorsey. The latex painting on a 46’ x 13’ wall features a soaring eagle, with the image of a MIA POW flag in its eye. Mountains and poppies decorate the foreground and a B-2 aircraft flies overhead. Above the images is the wording: “Your commitment is to our country. Lancaster’s commitment is to you.”
“These words say it all,” said Chase District Manager Blair Feivou. “Chase is very grateful for the tremendous sacrifices our military members and their families have made for our nation… this mural was painted in their honor.”
Artist and veteran Melinda Vetter-Dorsey said she began working with Chase on the project last November, but the actual mural took about five-weeks in painting time. She was assisted by fellow veterans Cleo Ware (Army) and Linda Reynolds (Air Force).
“This is about our veterans, my fellow veterans, and also our men and women who serve every day and sacrifice,” Vetter-Dorsey said. “I’m glad to be able to use my gift to give this gift to our community.”
The new military-themed mural is located on the outside wall of the Chase bank at 805 West Lancaster Boulevard.
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Jason Zink says
That’s Awesome!!!! how she was able to put a veteran tribute and local elements together in the same pic, Beautiful!
Chris says
I am proud to live in a valley with such a strong heritage. This is the least we can do to honor those who have given so much. This looks nothing like a cemetary, it is just a mural trying to catch how beautiful our valley is. This mural was not only painted by a valley native, but also a veteran.
Thanks AV for honoring our Vets!
Confession Bear says
All these veteran memorials in the Valley are depressing. I appreciate the service these brave individuals have done and I thank you but It starts looking like a cemetery after a while
frank rizzo says
If your so depressed go talk to your shrink. Seriously before you hurt yourself.
robin says
Hey ur so uncool I cant stand it. let me ask you something you ever here a man named Merle Haggard , ” The fightin side of me”, you are walking on the fightin side of me. My father served, my father-in-law, my step father and my husband. How dare you say anything you dirt bag. walk in my life and ill show you how it rolls. You can leave it anytime because we don’t need your kind anywhere. And by the way those people your running down gave you that freedom, too shoot your big mouth off. By the way my name is Robin come find me, will work this out, face too face.
sikntired says
Robin,you go girl. Some would like nothing better than to forget what made this country great and rewrite history. He/she had nothing better to do at 4 a.m.,how sad.
Robin says
If by making great you mean being busy bodies in other people’s countries and supporting our pimp daddy Israel. Then yeah lets not forget.
sikntired says
By great I mean being consistently the first responders to the world’s problems,i.e.,the Phillipines right now.