As you drive down Route 259, and glance over to Chimney Rock, not only will you see a flag waving in the breeze high atop the rock, but a beautiful American flag now adorns the side of the white building.
Highly visible from the road, this bright flag with red poppies on the bottom, is the work of local graffiti artist, Lou Befour.
The word graffiti brings a certain image to mind, whether it be the art of famed street graffiti artist, Banksy, or the random unwanted tagging seen on bridges, buildings, and trains.
Lou’s art is definitely wanted, and requested! It’s amazing to see what he creates, freehand, with an assortment of cans of spray paint!
Watching him work is nothing short of amazing, and as you can see, the end result is eye catching and beautiful.
Originally from NY, Lou now lives in the valley, and his work can be seen on the east coast, from Connecticut to Virginia. From murals to musicians, he can create anything a client requests. Some of his favorites include, Polar Express train, musicians Bob Marley, Johnny Cash, Michael Jackson, Hendrix, dragons, and even He-Man and Skeletor! Quiet, polite, and unassuming, he is proud of his canvases, as he should be, pulling out photos of past works. Amazingly, it only took a couple of hours to complete the flag, even though it was a blisteringly hot day.
Under the watchful eyes of VFW Commander Wayne Saylor, and Auxiliary President, Kay Kibler, both elected volunteers, the white landmark building, at the base of Chimney Rock, is undergoing some changes and sprucing up, inside and out.
There is ongoing member recruitment, as many of the present members of past foreign wars, Viet Nam for example, are aging out.
In order to be a member, one needs to have been in active duty on the ground in a war- a combat vet. Afghanistan, Iraq, Gulf War or anything after Viet Nam are veterans the VFW would love to have join. American Legion has members who have been in service but not seen combat, as well as those who have been active in a war. VFW, Veterans of Foreign Wars, is only for those who were boots on the ground, receiving combat pay.
The meetings are held the 2nd Tuesday of every month, 6 pm at the Post home at the corner of Brocks Gap Rd and Runions Creek Rd.
The piles of millings seen on the grounds recently, were donated by Adams Construction to improve and enlarge the parking area.
A Roanoke based climbing group, is responsible for installing the American flag proudly waving at the highest point of the rock. Back in January they contacted the Post, asking if they could come by and check out this rock they had heard so much about. The same group is also working on clearing out the brush and trees at the base of Chimney Rock, to make a trail, and allow easier access for climbers and other local groups, like the Scouts. The climbers’ vision is to have other climbing groups come here, spend an afternoon, making a donation. The groups can be charged to park, but not charged by the VFW to climb. So, donations are very welcome to help fund their scholarships and upcoming events.
There is a new little bridge, made by the Girl Scouts, crossing over a little gully before the rock.
According to Kay, “We have been trying for a good while, to spruce this place up, and attract more of the younger veterans. A couple of months ago we took down all the signs to repaint them, and were planning to paint the building. People thought the place was shut down!” In 70 years, not a lot of updating had been done.
The Boy Scouts recently came to the rock with leader Cory May, and did some low level climbing. In mid-September, the Scouts will return for a climbing and camping event on the grounds. Kay is excited about the event – and more to come. As she said, “Do we want to draw attention to ourselves? Heck, yeah! That is what our intent is, to draw attention, try to get some of the younger veterans in here, and for our auxiliary as well.”
The VFW had a successful golf tournament in May to raise money for the Post. They plan on many more events to come, including a Fall Vendor Fair on October 26th.
If you want to get more information on joining the Chimney Rock VFW Post 9660, or on upcoming events, contact:
540-435-7617
14550 Runions Creek Rd, Broadway, VA 22815
On Facebook: VFW Post 9660, Chimney Rock
To commission Lou to paint a wall or building, contact him at:
Lou Defour 1-347-463-3049
L.riot4@gmail.com
