


A Globe War II-era cannon along Sugar Street in St. Clairsville is searching a lot greater these days, thanks to the efforts of Bethesda resident and Army veteran Robert Flanagan. (photo submitted)

ST. CLAIRSVILLE — U.S. Army veteran Robert “Bob” Flanagan is creating his mark on the area by restoring some pieces of military history and undertaking his element to honor other neighborhood veterans.
Lately, Flanagan restored the 1944 90 mm gun positioned on Sugar Street in St. Clairsville.
Flanagan stated this is the fifth cannon he has restored in the Ohio Valley. He typically cleans the cannons and paints them in the original army green paint.
Flanagan stated that the cannon in St. Clairsville was quite worn out, even though he’s not confident if there had been any wars. He estimated that the restoration of the cannon took about 33 hours.
“It was in terrible shape.” “Of all the ones I’ve completed, this one particular was a mess,” he stated.
Very first he washed 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 sits on and landscaped about the cannon to make it extra visible.
“It is just a entertaining issue to do.” “My mom taught me to support when I can,” he stated.
Flanagan does all the cannon restoration function for absolutely free, either by himself or with the support of other volunteers.
Jackee Pugh, Belmont County Tourism Director, watched Flanagan in action.
“I reside close to the cannon on Sugar Street, so when I saw what he was undertaking, I went outdoors and told him how terrific he looked,” she stated.
Pugh stated neighborhood members like Flanagan make her proud to function in Belmont County. “It is so essential to see neighborhood members providing back and volunteering their time to restore landmarks in St. Clairsville and Belmont County. It shows a level of appreciate and commitment to the neighborhood,” she stated.
Flanagan previously restored two Globe War II cannons in Bethesda, exactly where he lives — a 90 mm cannon close to the municipal developing at Murray Family members Memorial Beach and a 37 mm cannon at Ebenezer Cemetery. He also restored the cannon at Barnesville Memorial Park. Flanagan stated he rebuilt his initially cannon eight years ago.
Flanagan served in the US Army from 1965-67. He also served as mayor of Bethesda from 2000-03. When he’s not restoring cannons, Flanagan attends neighborhood veterans’ funerals, exactly where he stands at focus at the cemetery gate as the burials take spot.
He also volunteers playing guitar at neighborhood nursing houses. Flanagan also worked as a pilot all through his life.
“I’ve completed all the things I wanted to in life,” he stated.





Today’s breaking news and extra in your inbox