Action Council for 29 Palms (Action 29 Palms) and its committee for the restoration and repainting of Mural #5, Desert Storm Homecoming & Victory Parade, announce the repaint will begin on October 12 with master artist Chuck Caplinger, artist Holgie Caplinger, and artist David Greene. The mural is located on the south wall of the Desert Cycle Works building, 6177 Adobe Road, in 29 Palms.
The mural was originally painted in 1995 by Chuck Caplinger and the repaint is expected to take approximately six weeks. Wayne Winiecki of Mural Medic has prepped the wall and will coat it upon completion.
Action 29 Palms Chair, LeeAnn Clarke, stated, “We are excited to have been able to reschedule the repaint to begin this month and invite everyone to take time to drive by and see the transformation of this magnificent historical painting.” In addition, she said, “The mural dedication will be scheduled for 2021 due to the COVID-19 restrictions we are currently under. We will keep the public informed on the unveiling once a date has been established.”
As of September, fundraising efforts have raised $20,863 towards the $45,000 goal for the community project to restore the historic mural, which honors the Operation Desert Storm homecoming and 1991 Victory Parade that celebrated the return of troops to the Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center, Twentynine Palms. Donations to cover all the costs associated with restoring the mural are still being gratefully accepted online at the organization’s website, www.action29palmsmurals.com.
About Mural #5: Desert Storm Homecoming & Victory Parade
The Marines first came to Twentynine Palms in 1952. Since then, the Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center has trained thousands of proud Marines, many of whom were deployed during Operation Desert Shield and Desert Storm. When the troops came home from the Persian Gulf in 1991, more than 40,000 people crowded into the city for the “Mother of all Parades.” This 18×101-foot mural was painted by Twentynine Palms artist Chuck Caplinger and was dedicated on October 15, 1995.
