###

Nation’s Finest Veterans Services has a little something extra to celebrate this Memorial Day – a brand new mural honoring local veterans. 

The star-spangled vision, dreamed up by Ben “The Mural Man” Goulart, features spray-painted, cubist renditions of servicemen — and even a military working dog — from each branch of the U.S. military, set against a billowing American Flag. The new mural is tucked just inside the entrance to the Eureka branch of Nation’s Finest, a nonprofit service organization that offers support to veterans experiencing homelessness or housing instability.

“We wanted to create something to honor our veterans … and I know the military folks really appreciate having some representation,” Goulart told the Outpost as local artists Chris Dmise and Scott Robertson carefully filled in details of the mural. “The veterans absolutely love it. Unfortunately, they don’t always get treated with the respect they deserve, so we’re hoping to brighten this up [for them].”

The project came about three months ago after Chris Nelson, the assistant site director at Nation’s Finest, asked Goulart if he’d be interested in creating a mural to celebrate local veterans. Goulart, who comes from a “semi-military family,” jumped at the opportunity and secured grant funding to bring the mural to life. 

“We didn’t plan on the big reveal to be Memorial Day,” he said. “But once it got closer to that time, we pushed the time frame to get done before Memorial Day so we could  kind of give [the veterans] a little present as well.”

When the mural is finished, the black stars will be partially covered by white stars to create a floating effect. “We’re kind of pushing the boundaries and having the actual stars slowly dispersing outward, kind of representing how the military are superstars out there, you know?” Goulart explained. “I think it’s important to have something that relates to people, not just color to uplift and to brighten, but to have a point and story behind it. We’ve worked with the veterans to get the colors and the correct order of establishment right, while still keeping a bright flavor.”

The Eureka branch of Nation’s Finest, one block east of the North Coast Co-op on Fourth Street, hosts a 29-bed transitional housing facility where veterans “of all eras” can access counseling, legal assistance, health care, mental and behavioral health services, case management and employment services. 

“We also provide rapid rehousing and homeless prevention services, including temporary financial assistance through a program called Supportive Services for Veterans and Their Families,” Nelson said. “We help folks in our programs and those in need get into housing through security deposits, rental assistance … and we can also help people pay back rent and help with utility bills. Anything that might deem them at risk of homelessness.”

The organization’s big goal for 2025 was to improve its downtown facilities and conditions for veterans. The new mural fits right into that plan.

“When we walk around our facility, we have art on the walls and whatnot, but we wanted to make something that stood out to people coming in for our services,” Nelson said. “Having something at the walkway to honor veterans and to provide some sort of comfort and color really creates a more welcoming environment. I’ve seen [Goulart’s] art everywhere, and working with him has been a delight. He really took our veterans’ input seriously, and now we have a piece of art we’re proud of.”

Painting is expected to wrap up in the next day or so, just in time for Memorial Day. 

Keep scrolling for more in-progress shots of the mural at Nation’s Finest. And, if you’re the mural-loving type, you’ll want to keep an eye on the new mural going up at the up-and-coming ramen bar slated for the old Cafe Nooner location in Old Town. 

###