'The Defense of Freedom' mural unveiled

Provided.

On the morning of Nov. 4, members of the Tehachapi VFW and civic organizations joined Make Art Tehachapi in the unveiling of Tehachapi's latest mural. The "In Defense of Freedom" mural, which was painted by noted artist and Tehachapi resident Col. Mark Pestana, USAF (retired), covers all four sides of the electrical box located in front of the VFW on Tehachapi Blvd.

Courtesy the City of Tehachapi.

Mark Pestana.

The mural includes the Liberty Bell as the symbol of freedom as ordered by the Pennsylvania Assembly in 1751. Also included is a soldier from George Washington's Contiental Army with musket and cannon and the American Flag. Moving on around the box can be found detailed paintings representing the equipment, ships and planes used by the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, Coast Guard and Space Force.

Mark Pestana is a nationally known award-winning artist, known for his landscape and seascape paintings as well as his military works. He has over 40 paintings on display in government buildings in Washington, D.C. – 14 are in the Pentagon, alone. He has also designed patches for nine space shuttle missions.

This aerospace engineer holds a bachelor's and master's degree in science and engineering and has flown over 5,000 hours in 30 types of aircraft from transport to jet. He has also flown 213 combat intelligence sorties. Currently he is a consultant to both NASA and the FAA and teaches Aerospace Safety at the University of Southern California.

The next time you visit downtown Tehachapi, make sure to go by the VFW (which is next to Kohnen's Bakery) and check out this exquisite four-sided mural.