Shanksville banner project salutes veterans
Nov. 20—SHANKSVILLE, Pa. — A Shanksville group is launching a campaign to honor local veterans both past and present with patriotic banners next year.
The full-color, four-foot-long banners will fly above the borough's main streets starting on Memorial Day, according to Donna Glessner, who is part of a committee formed to oversee the effort.
"We've had a Memorial Day parade and a ceremony over the years sponsored by the American Legion (Post 911), but nothing specific for veterans on Veterans Day," Glessner said.
She said the hope is that banners will both decorate the town and also give local families and other groups a chance to honor a veteran who is close to their heart by sponsoring a banner that will carry that service member's image, rank and years of service.
"The banners are made of heavy-duty vinyl and intended to last at least three to four years before needing replacement," Glessner said.
Each is designed to honor one veteran.
A duplicate photo and information about the service member will adorn both sides.
To be included in the banner project, the service member or his or her immediate family must have been a resident of either Shanksville Borough, Stonycreek Township or Indian Lake Borough for at least 10 years.
Anyone wishing to honor a local veteran can send a $170 check, a high-resolution digital photo and a copy of that veteran's DD-214 military form.
"(The) fee covers the cost of the banner itself and the hardware to attach the banner to a utility pole," said Glessner, one of three Shanksville-area natives serving on the committee.
Glessner and fellow community residents Linda Platt Meyer and Kathie Shaffer were picked by the borough to lead the effort.
Glessner said members of St. Mark's Lutheran Church and Councilman Joe Black came up with the banner idea after noticing similar projects in other small towns.
As planned, the banners will hang above Main, Bridge and North streets as well as Lambertsville and Stutzmantown roads, Glessner said Wednesday.
The banners will be installed each year in time for Memorial Day and then taken down after Veterans Day, stored over the winter months, and re-installed in time for the following Memorial Day.
When the banners are no longer viable for display, they will be offered to their sponsors," Glessner said.
Those interested can apply for a banner through February, she said.
Application forms can be downloaded at the project website, www.shanksville- salutes.org, although Glessner said they are also being distributed to area businesses, churches and community bulletin boards.
For more information, email shanksvillesalutes@gmail.com or call Shaffer at 814- 233-1887.
Glessner said the group sold its first banner this week.
She said interest is beginning to pick up, but she expects the project will grow after the first banners start appearing in May.
"Once people start seeing them, I think this will really grow," she said.
