VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. (WVEC) -- An artist whose giant tribute to the U.S. military was painted over last year now has a massive new "canvas" on which he can create.
In 2002, Sam Welty painted a mural titled "Great America Number 1: A Tribute to American Heroes" that covered the outside of the former Flagship Inn, now a Howard Johnson Hotel.
The mural depicted local fighter squadrons flying above the aircraft carrier USS Enterprise. It became a popular tourist attraction before new hotel management had the mural painted over late last year.
Welty with the help of volunteers will paint a new mural that will span from 19th to 20th Streets on Pacific Avenue.
The mural will pay tribute to members of all branches of the military, and local first responders who lost their lives in the line of duty.
Prep work has already begun on the new artwork, and a dedication ceremony is planned on Saturday, June 10.
If you're interested in helping out Welty, you can visit tributemural.com
Virginia Art with Heart posted a video showing the mural's early progress: