The Annandale cannon needs some work
If there are any Boy Scouts in the area looking for a good
Eagle Scout project – here’s an idea. The Annandale cannon, the landmark at the
intersection of Columbia Pike and Backlick Road, has fallen into disrepair and
needs to be restored.
Eagle Scout project – here’s an idea. The Annandale cannon, the landmark at the
intersection of Columbia Pike and Backlick Road, has fallen into disrepair and
needs to be restored.
American Legion Bicentennial Post 1976, based nearby at Daniels Avenue, is in charge of maintaining the cannon. “We agree we
need to have it fixed,” said Eugene Kimbrel, the post’s second vice commander,
but said the post would need some volunteer help. “We’re a bunch of old retired
veterans.”
need to have it fixed,” said Eugene Kimbrel, the post’s second vice commander,
but said the post would need some volunteer help. “We’re a bunch of old retired
veterans.”
According to the Kimbrel, the cannon needs to be removed,
sandblasted, repainted, and reinstalled, but if a portable sandblaster is used, it wouldn’t
have to be moved.
sandblasted, repainted, and reinstalled, but if a portable sandblaster is used, it wouldn’t
have to be moved.
If any Scouts or other volunteer groups come forward to help
restore the cannon, “we would be happy to buy the materials and paint,” he said.
restore the cannon, “we would be happy to buy the materials and paint,” he said.
A sign next to the cannon says it’s a 1905 three-inch field
gun that was used in the Mexican Campaign against Pancho Villa. It was obtained
by a local veterans’ organization in the mid-1950s. Post 1976 obtained stewardship
of the cannon in the early 1980s and initiated a restoration project that
included new wooden wheels handcrafted by a master wheelwright.
gun that was used in the Mexican Campaign against Pancho Villa. It was obtained
by a local veterans’ organization in the mid-1950s. Post 1976 obtained stewardship
of the cannon in the early 1980s and initiated a restoration project that
included new wooden wheels handcrafted by a master wheelwright.
“The cannon and memorial are maintained by Post 1976 as
reminders of the sacrifices of our veterans in maintaining freedom around the
world,” the sign says. The sign was installed in 1999 by the Annandale Central Business District Planning Committee as part of an Annandale streetscape
project.
reminders of the sacrifices of our veterans in maintaining freedom around the
world,” the sign says. The sign was installed in 1999 by the Annandale Central Business District Planning Committee as part of an Annandale streetscape
project.
Its deteriorating like the rest of the area.
Great idea. Sending a note to Eugene Kimbrel now expressing interest by our troop.
This is a great idea. I hope some girl or boy scouts volunteer to take this on. It would be a lot of work and a good learning project.
I think the Mason District Supervisor and the surrounding businesses should help in up keeping this landmark. It also needs more lighting and cleanup.
You got to be kidding?
I agree. Good suggestion
It's not there now, July 2018, maybe it's out getting restored somewhere?