Spencer celebrates 250 years of liberty: Mural dedicated at VFW Post 1405

A new patriotic mural was officially dedicated on July 4 as part of the “Spencer Celebrates 250” block party hosted by Spencer Main Street and VFW Post #1405. The Independence Day celebration drew local families and veterans to North Washington Street, between East Morgan and East Franklin Streets, for an afternoon of free public entertainment and a historic tribute to local military service.

The day featured family-friendly festivities, including a bounce house and face painting, alongside live musical performances. Food and refreshments were offered throughout the afternoon by Civilian Brewing Corps and Post #1405.

The centerpiece and a special remembrance

The centerpiece of the celebration featured the official dedication of a new patriotic mural on the east side of Post #1405. The VFW Honor Guard kicked off the ceremony with a formal presentation before a crowd of local families and veterans.

Prior to the ceremony, the artist and organizers had the honor and privilege of remembering Army veteran and VFW Post #1405 member Mike Barger, the late husband of Past Department President and current Secretary of the VFW Post #1405 Auxiliary Sharron Barger. In a deeply moving tribute, Mike’s family mixed a small handful of his ashes into the paint, forever making Mike a part of this commemorative mural as they placed their own brushstrokes onto the wall, filling in the words “VFW Post 1405.”

Completion of the mural was made possible through the financial support of the Owen County Community Foundation, Wally DeFord, Rob Babbs, the Spencer Exchange Club, the Sons of the American Legion and the Spencer VFW Post #1405 and Auxiliary.

The artist behind the vision

The vibrant artwork was painted by neighboring Monroe County resident Adam Long. Remarkably, Long has no formal art training—having studied elementary education and business at Franklin College—and didn’t begin painting professionally until the age of 40. Today, he and his wife, Nicole, live in Smithville with their daughter, Lorene Maree.

Long noted that Owen County Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Marce Johnson came up with the original design concept for the project, while he added his “own spin with vivid colors and life.”

It took Long an estimated 20 hours to complete the piece on the VFW wall—a process made richer by the community itself.

“I enjoyed seeing many old friends stop by and made several new friends,” Long shared. “People were inviting!”

Reflecting on the unique addition of Mike Barger’s ashes to the artwork, Long noted the profound emotional weight of the project.

“Public art often tells the stories of communities, but this piece now carries something even deeper—the memory of a man who served his country and the love of the family who continues to carry his legacy forward,” Long said.

This is not Long’s first landmark piece in the area; in early 2025, he created a memorable mural for Travis and Krista Dill at their property along West State Road 46. For that project, Long quickly built upon an initial flag and eagle concept, expanding it over an estimated 40 hours to incorporate the scenic falls at McCormick’s Creek State Park, alongside “Spencer, Indiana” and the name of the couple’s business, KMSJ Services.

To contact the artist or to view more of his portfolio, visit “Adam Long” or “Art Happens” on Facebook.

A deeply rooted history of service

Following the Honor Guard’s presentation, Owen County Historian Tony Neff took the podium to deliver an insightful keynote address.

Neff explicitly connected the national milestone to local heritage, noting that July 4, 2026, marked the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence in Philadelphia, PA.

“This momentous event cannot be overstated,” Neff said. “Because the signing of the Declaration of Independence is the foundation stone of the world’s oldest modern constitutional democracy: Our United States of America.”

Neff walked the crowd through the earliest days of local settlement, pointing out that when Indiana became the 19th state in 1816, the first pioneers arrived in what would become Owen County.

He noted that in November of that year, Phillip Hart, his family, and James Bigger settled on the land where Boston Scientific is located today, just a few years before Spencer became the county seat in 1820.

Owen County’s lifelong connection to American conflict

The central theme of Neff’s address was the unbroken line of military service that defines local families.

He highlighted that Owen County residents have participated in every single American war, insurrection or expedition since 1776. Reading from an original Revolutionary War recruiting flyer that called on “all brave, healthy, able bodied and well-disposed young men” to join General George Washington, Neff emphasized that this exact mindset has long been the norm for the county.

“Revolutionary War, Indian Wars and War of 1812 veterans settled in Owen County,” Neff explained, crediting research by local historian and veteran journalist Dixie Richardson for identifying 34 American Revolutionary War veterans who made the county their home. “Owen County and Spencer are named after soldiers who died in the Battle of Tippecanoe: Colonel Abraham Owen and Captain Spier Spencer, both from Kentucky.”

The symbols on the wall

Turning the crowd’s attention to Long’s newly unveiled artwork, Neff broke down the deliberate historical and patriotic symbolism crafted into the design.

“The mural we are dedicating today shows the American flag and the freedom and unity it symbolizes,” Neff shared. “An American Eagle and the strength, independence and resilience it symbolizes. A WWI Doughboy in the heat of battle, showing the courage, honor, patriotism and the sacrifices of our veterans.”

Local heroes: The Cassady cousins

Neff illustrated that courage by sharing the remarkable, interwoven histories of two Spencer High School graduates from the class of 1914 who went on to serve with distinct heroism in both World Wars.

The first, Captain Thomas G. Cassady of Freedom, bypassed a medical career to volunteer as an ambulance driver in France in 1916. He later joined the French Foreign Legion, became a fighter pilot and shot down five German planes.

When the United States entered WWI, he joined the U.S. Air Service and claimed four more aerial victories. On the day Pearl Harbor was attacked in 1941, Cassady was called back to duty by the Secretary of the Navy to serve as an undercover agent in Vichy France, where he endured a year of German imprisonment before being exchanged. He concluded his service as a Chief Intelligence Officer for the OSS in newly liberated Paris.

The second hero, Admiral John H. Cassady, served in the Navy during WWI and rose to command the famed aircraft carrier Enterprise in the Pacific theater during WWII. Neff revealed an extraordinary piece of naval trivia regarding his appointment.

“In 1943, Admiral Cassady took over the command of the aircraft carrier Enterprise in the Pacific from Admiral Henry M. Mullinnix, who was also born in Spencer, and who also served in both WWI and WWII,” Neff told the crowd, noting that Mullinnix tragically went down with his ship later that year. “This is the only time in Navy History where a major Navy ship command was exchanged where both Admirals were from the same small town, Spencer.”

A lasting tribute

Closing his address, Neff emphasized that the vibrant new imagery on the VFW wall serves as a visual testament to the continuous protection of American liberty.

“In conclusion; this powerful, 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence mural, by the Spencer VFW Post #1405, we dedicate today, exemplifies our veterans’ role in establishing and maintaining our nation and the freedoms we enjoy,” Neff said, offering a final word of gratitude to the community and a blessing for the country. “For 250 years, the story of America has been shaped by the service and sacrifices of the brave men and women who answered the call of duty.”

The new mural now stands as a permanent fixture in downtown Spencer, ensuring that the legacy of Owen County’s veterans—now physically and spiritually holding the memory of heroes like Mike Barger—continues to greet and inspire residents for generations to come.