BOSTON -- Bostonians driving past Marines painting a mural showcasing the Corps’ proud values displayed their support by waving, honking and shouting motivation toward the Marines at an intersection in Hyde Park, May 5.
For over a week Marines from different units throughout the Marine Corps have come to work on the mural and give something back to the city of Boston. The purpose of the mural was showing the people of Boston what the Marine Corps did during Marine Week Boston.
“The mural is significant because unlike the static displays of Marine Corps vehicles and equipment, which will go away once Marine Week Boston is over, the painting will permanently be here to show Bostonians who we are and what we did here in Boston as Marines,” said Staff Sgt. Jorge Dimmer, a combat reproduction specialist from Marine Corps Base Quantico, Va.
The process of painting the mural takes about 10 working days to complete and the mural is scheduled to be completed by the end of Marine Week Boston. Many Marines including six permanent workers have been busy giving life to the mural over the course of the week. The long process has given Bostonians plenty of time to see the mural being painted by the Marines and given them plenty of time to cheer on the painters.
“Sometimes the process is more important than product; this mural really shows the people of Boston that these young Marines are capable of producing some beautiful artwork,” said Heidi Schork, the director of the Mayor’s Mural Crew in Boston, who has been working with the mural crew for 19 years.
Veterans of Boston have also shown support to the crew of Marines working on the mural by supplying the painters with food and inspiration to tell the Marine Corps’ story through the paint of the mural. Only time will tell how long the Marine Week Boston events will be remembered by Bostonians, but the Marine Week Boston Mural will leave a permanent mark in Boston.
“Even after all the Marines leave Boston this mural will be sure to leave a lasting impression on the people of Boston and will continue to build a positive community relationship between the city and the Marine Corps,” concluded Dimmer.