Lighthouse painted with personal touches Published Sept. 22, 2010 By Steve Hoffmann 81st Training Wing Public Affairs KEESLER AIR FORCE BASE, Miss. -- Orlando has Mickey Mice. Chicago has cows. D.C. has donkeys and elephants. Biloxi has lighthouses. And now Keesler does, too. Like many other cities have done across the country, Biloxi has chosen an iconic symbol, the lighthouse, torepresent its unique heritage along theMississippi Gulf Coast. These 7-footreplicas can be purchased and personalizedto represent the business or organization that bought it. Known as the Lighthouse Project, the Biloxi Bay Chamber of Commerce chose the lighthouse as a way to bring the coastal community together to celebrate and represent the strength and resilience of the people of the Gulf Coast after Hurricane Katrina. Each business or organization that purchases a lighthouse is encouraged to personalize it in a way that reflects the unique character of that business or organization. Keesler's lighthouse was purchased by the 81st Training Group. A voluntary fundraiser was held to raise the $1,500 to purchase the lighthouse. "The 81st Training Group has benefitted greatly from community support over the years," said Col. Lynn Connett, 81st Training Group. "We were excited about the opportunity to give back to the local community by supporting this Biloxiunique cultural celebration. The lighthouse is absolutely beautiful and serves as a tangible reminder of the outstanding base-community relationship we've enjoyed for decades." Suzan Templin, Keesler's military fine artist, was assigned the task of personalizing Keesler's lighthouse. Ms. Templin's work can be seen in paintings that adorn the walls of just about every building on base. Much of her work serves to represent the unique character of the different groups and squadrons on base. Using acrylics,Ms. Templin painted a beach scene with tall sea oats, Adirondack chairs, sea life, ocean andsand, and a C-130 flying in the blue sky above. "The scene wasn't complicated but a lighthouse is a very challenging shape to paint on," said Ms. Templin. "I was really worried about it for a while but I think it turned out well.When your heart is in it you can do anything. I like making people smile with my art. It's like reaching the human soul." The lighthouse is on display at the new Bay Breeze Event Center and was in place for Friday's ribbon-cutting ceremony.