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FILL THE HELMET
Effort Saturday to help fund WWII mural
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Among those who will work the Fill the Helmet effort on Saturday at Yosemite and Main are, from left, Vietnam veteran George Terry, Bop Whittaker, and Interact of Manteca President Melissa Fee. - photo by DENNIS WYATT

Vietnam veteran George Terry is on a mission.

Terry wants to make sure the sacrifices of the 957 Manteca residents who served in World War II — including 34 that did not return — are never forgotten.

That’s why Terry is being joined by fellow veterans that are members of American Legion Post 249 and Veteran of Foreign Wars Post 6311 along with the East Union High JROTC, Interact of Manteca, and Manteca Youth Focus on Saturday to help the Manteca Mural Society raise funds for a tribute to the World War II veterans.

The “Fill the Helmet” event takes place Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on the northeast corner of Yosemite Avenue and Main Street in downtown Manteca in the parking lot adjacent to the Bedquarters building where the mural ultimately will be displayed.

Anyone wanting to donate can drive through the Main Street and Yosemite Avenue intersection where veterans and volunteers will collect your donations whether it is coins, dollars and or checks. There will be live entertainment by Richard Benavides and the Park Avenue Jam Band playing music from the 1960s.  People are encouraged to bring a chair and visit with a few of Manteca’s veterans.

The World War II mural is the second of five planned murals. The Global War on Terror mural is already in place. Also planned are murals honoring those that served in the Korean War, Vietnam War, and World War I.

The Mural Society has raised $17,000 through private donations but still needs additional funds.  The murals cost approximately $25,000 each.  Any extra donations collected will be held in trust to begin the Korean Mural as soon as possible.

After the completion of all five murals, a donor plaque will be installed naming individuals and entities that contribute over $500.00 to the Veterans Mural Project.  The dedication of the WWII mural will be July 4.