PHILADELPHIA - With a major assist from The Sherwin-Williams Co., the city of Philadelphia in November unveiled a huge, 6,000-square-foot American flag mural painted on the side of a Philadelphia warehouse facing Interstate 95, in a project commemorating the tragic events of Sept. 11.

Sherwin-Williams supplied a large quantity of custom-mixed red, white and blue paint for the mural, reported to be one of the largest portrayals ever of Old Glory. The mural was created under the auspices of the Philadelphia Department of Recreation's Mural Arts Program.

Sherwin-Williams Chairman and CEO Christopher M. Connor headed a delegation from the company attending the mural-unveiling ceremony, joining local dignitaries that included Mayor John F. Street. Connor said it was "fitting that this heroically proportioned and truly magnificent artistic rendering of the Stars and Stripes has been created in this city where the United States of America's independence and freedom were first proclaimed. The American flag has become a rallying point for a nation bound together by love of country in the face of tragedy and adversity."

Other Sherwin-Williams executives attending the unveiling ceremonies included Conway G. Ivy, vice president, Corporate Planning and Development, who worked closely with the Philadelphia Department of Recreation on the project. Also present were Tom Brummett, president and general manager of the company's Eastern Division; Bob Brophy, director, Wholesale Marketing; Mark Sposito, vice president, Marketing; Rob Schuster, vice president, Sales; Don Katen, vice president, Human Resources; and Tom Tolento, Philadelphia District manager. Brophy also played a key role in the development of the project.