1. copy apps/blank from struts distribution to your development area
2. mkdir src/main/resources
3. copy src/java/MessageResources.properties resources/.
   _OR_
   add to pom.xml
   <build>
      <resources>
        <!-- Include resources under src/main/java in WEB-INF/classes -->
         <resource>
            <directory>src/main/java</directory>
            <includes>
               <include>**/*.properties</include>
               <include>**/*.xml</include>
            </includes>
         </resource>
      </resources>
   <build>

4. remove <parent></parent>, and replace 
   <groupId>, 
   <artifactId>,
   <finalName> with <parent> information

5. add tomcat-plugin information