Ron Burkett, an Alabama resident, has transformed his front lawn into a patriotic display in anticipation of the United States' 250th anniversary. Using a weed whacker, Burkett created a large mural of a bald eagle with outstretched wings on his lawn in Trussville, Alabama, which he has also inscribed with "USA 250."
Burkett was inspired to create the lawn art after attending Sail250 in New Orleans, an event celebrating the nation's maritime heritage. He returned home with the idea to honor the country's upcoming milestone. He utilized a drone, tennis balls, a cord, and wooden planks as guides to meticulously trim the design into his grass.
This is not Burkett's first patriotic lawn creation. Last Fourth of July, he used a power washer to create a mural on his driveway featuring the Statue of Liberty flanked by U.S. Air Force fighter jets. The previous artwork remained sharp and detailed for nearly a year.
The current bald eagle mural, visible from above, has become a point of interest in the neighborhood. Burkett, however, does not plan to preserve the artwork, stating he will let the grass grow and nature reclaim the canvas until inspiration strikes again.
Burkett described the mural as "not political, but American," expressing a desire to celebrate "roots of basic American freedoms" rather than focusing on current political discourse. He cited the freedoms Americans have, including the right to participate in governing through voting, as his favorite aspect of being an American.