A mural honoring veterans of the Durango area’s past was unveiled Saturday at the American Legion Post 28 on East Second Avenue.
The mural features Navajo Nation code talkers and U.S. Navy Blue Angel Jeff Kuss, “a fearless leader, son, brother, cousin, father and hero,” as described by American Legion Post 28 Cmdr. Melinda Michael, who emceed the celebratory gathering.
Acknowledgments were also made to U.S. Marine John Kinsel Sr., a WW2 Navajo code talker who died last month at the age of 107, and Anna Martinez of the Navajo Nation, representing her parents, including her father who was a WW2 Purple Heart recipient.
Artist Parker Ledford, born and raised in Durango, said he is honored to celebrate local culture and people who mean so much to the city and its past. The chance to work on the American Legion’s mural honoring veterans is an opportunity to create something perhaps more impactful than his usual works.
“You feel like you can really feel the heart in it, and just how much people care about it, even passing by, even though it's not done,” he said. “So many people have just expressed so much joy about this.”
One woman passed Ledford as he was working on Friday and stopped, recognizing Kuss’s image. She was nearly moved to tears, he said.
He began preparations to paint on the north side of the American Legion building around Oct. 1, and began work on the mural about Oct. 10, he said. The wet weather hasn’t been very accommodating of his efforts, but he’s enjoyed the project.
Sketches performed on the building before he ever took a brush to the facade had already intrigued passersby, who were quick to notice Kuss’ likeness, he said.
His goal with the mural was to celebrate local culture and history and the impact the American Legion has had on the community. He didn’t know about Kuss until he accepted the project and began brainstorming with Michael. But from there, he knew he had to include Kuss, who he said is a “hometown hero.”
He said the unveiling Saturday was a unique and special experience where he heard from elders of the Navajo and Southern Ute tribes, which drove home how special the piece is to a diverse group of people in and around the greater Durango area.
La Plata County Historical Society Board President Sidny Zink said the Animas Museum in Durango is currently featuring a WWII exhibit.
Blue Star Mom Jill Williams said the Blue Star Moms are heading the American Legion’s Wreaths Across America efforts at Durango’s Greenmount Cemetery this year. The goal is to decorate every single veteran’s grave with a live wreath on Dec. 14.
Wreaths are $17 and there are over 1,300 graves at Greenmount Cemetery, she said, adding that Blue Star Moms are trying to raise $22,100 to accomplish the feet and are seeking sponsorships.
cburney@durangoherald.com
