Support Coshocton native and 9-11 heroes with downtown mural

Hello, my name is Eddie and I am the son of artist Jeff Grier. In 2001, just after the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center in New York City, my father along with his co-worker Tom Hernan sought to create an image that would encapsulate all the feelings the entire world felt that day. "I'll Take It From Here," became a tribute to the heroes of 9/11. He created it to raise money for the Red Cross to benefit the victims' families. Jeff lived in Jefferson, Ohio, and at the time of his death in 2018, was a teacher with Madison Schools.

Now, to honor the legacy the image has left, officials in his hometown of Coshocton, Ohio want to raise funding for a full mural recreation in the downtown area. The piece depicts an image of a firefighter passing the U.S. flag to a soldier standing in the rubble of the fallen World Trade Center. It's currently displayed at the Pentagon and the 9/11 Memorial Museum in New York City and has raised more than $15,000 for military charities. The local mural will be on the side of Stewart Interiors on Main Street. Local artist and Coshocton High School art teacher John Miller will lead the painting, with Varns Sandblasting prepping the wall.

The mural project was inspired by Bob Jones, a 93-year-old World War II veteran, and Mike Meyers, who were both close to Grier. He had taken Jones to the Pentagon when "I’ll Take It From Here" was presented. The two men, along with Cliff Miller, a high school friend of Grier's, are organizing the project. Miller has enlisted the help of his sister-in-law, Michelle Turner, to spread the word and raise funds. Turner is a local business owner and member of Coshocton City Council.

Donations and sharing this fundraiser are greatly appreciated! The cost is estimated at just under $20,000. The group has already received an individual donation of $120 and $2,000 from the Korean War Veterans Association Chapter 182, but we have a long way to go to make this a reality. If you cannot donate we completely understand but taking the time to share this story with others who can would mean the world to all of us.

HOW THE FUNDS WILL BE DISTRIBUTED:

$6,000 - This will go to cleaning and priming the wall, Varns Sandblasting will be the people for the job.

$10,000 - This will go to paying our artist for his time and dedication to the project. Seriously, this thing is going to be HUGE!

$4,000 - Maintenance & Upkeep. This ensures that over the following years, the mural will stay in pristine condition and not show any signs of age - whether that be repainting, or more cleaning.

Thank you all so much!

-The Grier Family

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