Mural Honors 'Forgotten' Veterans In Hatboro

HATBORO, PA —Jaclyn Wipplinger got tired of seeing the look of one of the buildings her family owns in the borough.

As a partner in Wipplinger Properties, the 27-year-old Wipplinger said the building at 107 North York Rd. that she drove by every day was "such an eyesore."

Days went by until Wipplinger —with an assist from her sister Allison Wipplinger, who helped get State Rep. Nancy Guenst on the mural—came up with an idea to make the side of the property near the McDonald's stand out as a symbol of freedom, honor, sacrifice, and service.

"I thought 'What Can I Do?' I wanted something bright, beautiful, and airy," she told Patch during an interview at Ross & Co. on Thursday night. "I wanted to do something for the people of Hatboro. I wanted to do something that touched everyone's life. Everyone knows a veteran. They are forgotten a bit. I knew that's what I wanted to do."

So she arranged for the artists Seven and Peak to create what Wipplinger calls "Hatboro’s Veterans Appreciation Mural" with the slogan above it: "Every Day is Veterans Day."

The mural showcases from left to right:

• Wipplinger's grandfather Alvin —He grew up in Hatboro and served in the Air Force during the Korean War. He worked at the former Village Mall (now the Acme on Blair Mill Road). He died in 2013. "I wanted to do something for him," she said. "I wanted to see his face."
• State Rep.Nancy Guenst —"I wanted a woman on there," Wipplinger said. She said that her sister Allison told Guenst “we are putting you on it." Guenst is a U.S. Army veteran, the borough's former mayor, and the state representative for Hatboro, a part of Abington Township, Bryn Athyn, and Upper Moreland and Lower Moreland townships.
• Richard Balsamo —He served 40 months during the Vietnam War and made it back home. He works in the Village Hardware store that the Wipplinger Family owns. "He does a lot in the area and is a fixture in the store," she said.

"I wanted to pay tribute," Wipplinger said. "We owe people who came before us. This mural creates positive vibes for the community."