Here's how Shanksville Borough and nearby communities are honoring their military veterans
SHANKSVILLE ― The borough has organized a military banner project to show its appreciation for those local men and women who have served or are still serving their country.
A banner design has been selected, and now sponsors are needed to purchase a banner in honor or in memory of a military veteran. Sponsors can order a banner until Feb. 16; order forms are available online at shanksvillesalutes.org or from area businesses, churches and community bulletin boards.
Somerset spirit: Herman, the friendly ghost, haunting next-door shop. Or is it Henrietta?
What will the banners look like?
The banners are 24” wide x 48” tall; a sample of the full-color design is posted at the Shanksville Borough Building on Main Street or at the shanksvillesalutes.org website. The design was created just for Shanksville by Gates Flag & Banner of Clifton, New Jersey. Each double-sided banner includes a large photo of the military veteran, their rank and branch of the military and when they served.
According to the project website, the service member must have been honorably discharged or are actively serving in the military, and either the service member or their immediate family must have lived in Shanksville, Stonycreek Township or Indian Lake for at least 10 years.
The banners are to be installed in time for Memorial Day, then taken down after Veterans Day and stored over the winter months, said Donna Glessner, who is serving on the banner project committee with fellow residents Linda Meyer and Kathie Shaffer.
Helping kids beat cancer: How the New National Hotel & Bar broke a local fundraising record for St. Jude Children's Hospital
What information is needed for the banner?
In addition to the order form and payment, a high-resolution digital image (600 dpi) of the veteran is needed as well as a copy of their military discharge form, or DD-214, if possible.
No original photographs or documents should be submitted, Glessner said. There is assistance available for anyone who needs a photograph scanned to create the digital image for the banner; anyone who needs that assistance or has other questions about the project can contact Kathie Shaffer at 814-233-1887 or send an email to: shanksvillesalutes@gmail.com.
Donations from area individuals and organizations are covering the costs to ship and install the banners, as well as to purchase banners for veterans killed in action who have no family sponsors, if needed. Information on donating to the banner project can be found at the shanksvillesalutes.org website or by contacting the banner committee.
Season of giving: Holiday shoppers hear ringing of the bells each year
A slide presentation honoring over 130 Shanksville area veterans is also posted at the shanksvillesalutes.org website. The slide presentation was shown recently at a community Veterans Day dinner and concert held at St. Mark Lutheran Church.
This article originally appeared on The Daily American: Sponsors needed for Shanksville Community Military Banner Project
