By BOB SHRALUKA
WZBD.com
A new round of veterans banners which went up in Decatur before Memorial Day represents a near-50% increase over the first year of the project.
A total of 53 banners are positioned on light poles along First, Second and Monroe streets in the downtown area, and extend past Eighth St. on Monroe.
Last year, 36 banners were hung in the effort to honor military veterans launched by the Adams County Antoine Rivarre chapter of the National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution.
“They are so beautiful; it’s such a beautiful way to honor these veterans,” said Denise Franz of the Antoine Rivarre chapter.
The banners will remain in place until Veterans Day this year, November 11.
There are no vets banners on Second St. in the immediate downtown are city officials leave those poles open to hang banners for special events.
Families pay for the banners which are then returned to the families after Veterans Day.
The Rivarre chapter handles all aspects of the project with no cost to the city – other than employees mounting and removing the banners – nor paperwork nor liability.
Franz said the chapter wants to thank city employees for getting the banners positioned, Complete Printing Service for making the banners, and the local Sons of the American Legion who donated funds to purchase brackets for this year’s additional banners.
In September, information will be released on when applications will be taken for vets banners in 2026.
“I already have 14 on a waiting list,” Franz noted.
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