Beaconites and visitors now have a daily reminder to thank and be kind to a veteran of any age and means with the completion of a new mural on Dutchess County’s DMV Building toward the west end of town. That building is where the Beacon Farmers Market now lives - in the DMV parking lot.

The mural was conceptualized by Joe Schuka of Libby Funeral & Cremation Services, based in Beacon. When asked what inspired him to pursue the mural, Joe remarked on a deep sense of patriotism. “This is another way of showing our appreciation to the veterans.” Libby commissioned the muralist Sabrina Crowley, an artist based in White Plains, that Libby had worked with before at their sister location in White Plains.

As for design direction, Joe gave Sabrina an initial image, and “she made it her own,” Joe told A Little Beacon Blog. “Sabrina saw what I gave her, and added the silhouette of the soldier and other elements.” Permission to paint onto the building had to come from Dutchess County, who was very receptive to the idea, Joe said. “Dutchess County Executive Marcus Molinaro was completely in favor of it.”

During the Veterans of Foreign Wars Pvt William B. Wilson Post 666 ceremony honoring veterans today, VFW Commander Harold Delamater made reference to the new mural.