The World Battle II-era cannon alongside Sugar Road in St. Clairsville is wanting quite a bit higher lately, because of the efforts of Bethesda resident and Military veteran Robert Flanagan. (Picture Offered)

ST. CLAIRSVILLE — U.S. Military veteran Robert “Bob” Flanagan is making a mark on the area by restoring some items of navy historical past and doing his half to honor different native veterans.

Most not too long ago, Flanagan restored a 90-mm cannon from 1944 that’s positioned on Sugar Road in St. Clairsville.

Flanagan mentioned that is the fifth cannon he has restored within the Ohio Valley. He usually cleans the cannons and paints them the unique Military inexperienced shade.

Flanagan mentioned that though he isn’t positive if it has seen any wars, the cannon in St. Clairsville had a number of put on. He estimated that restoring the cannon took about 33 hours.

“It was in dangerous form. Out of the entire ones I’ve achieved, this one was a large number,” he mentioned.

First he powerwashed the cannon and scraped off the filth and previous paint earlier than including a recent coat of Military inexperienced. Flanagan additionally painted the cement slab it stands on and trimmed the landscaping across the cannon to make it extra seen.

“It’s only a enjoyable factor to do. My mother taught me to assist once I can,” he mentioned.

Flanagan does the entire labor for the cannon restorations freed from cost both by himself or with the assistance of different volunteers.

Jackee Pugh, tourism director for Belmont County, received to look at Flanagan in motion.

“I stay close to the cannon on Sugar Road, so once I noticed what he was doing I went outdoors and instructed him how nice it seemed,” she mentioned.

Pugh mentioned members of the group like Flanagan make her proud to work in Belmont County. “It’s so essential to see group members giving again and volunteering their time to revive landmarks in St. Clairsville and Belmont County. It exhibits a stage of affection and dedication to the group,” she mentioned.

Flanagan beforehand restored two World Battle II cannons in Bethesda the place he lives — a 90-mm cannon close to the municipal constructing on the Murray Household Memorial Plaza and a 37-mm cannon at Ebenezer Cemetery. He additionally restored a cannon at Memorial Park in Barnesville. Flanagan mentioned he restored his first cannon eight years in the past.

Flanagan served within the U.S. Military from 1965-67. He additionally served as Bethesda’s mayor from 2000-03. When he isn’t restoring cannons, Flanagan is attending the funerals of native veterans, the place he stands at consideration on the cemetery gate whereas the burials happen.

He additionally volunteers by taking part in guitar at native nursing properties. Flanagan has labored as a pilot all through his life as effectively.

“I’ve achieved all the things I’ve wished to do in life,” he mentioned.

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