Saluting
Veterans American Legion Launching Roads Of Honor Program
A visible tribute to veterans of the U.S. Armed Forces will soon be appearing along Beech and Sycamore avenues in Buena Vista. Banners bearing photographs of veterans are to be displayed on utility poles on this business thoroughfare at the northern end of the city.
Floyd-Davidson American Legion Post 126 is launching the Roads of Honor project to bring recognition to veterans.
“This is a visible tribute to veterans’ service and sacrifice,” said Donna Sullivan who, with her husband George, an Army veteran, appeared before Buena Vista City Council recently to get the city’s blessing for the project.
City Council approved a memorandum of understanding with the local American Legion post to get the program underway. American Legion members are to be responsible for installing and maintaining the banners, which are to be displayed on Dominion Power poles from April through Veterans Day in November each year.
The banners are to look much like those that have gone up in other communities in recent years. There are Roads of Honor banners displayed in Buchanan, Clifton Forge, and Covington as well as in White Sulphur Springs and Fayetteville, West Virginia.
With Memorial Day approaching, it is hoped that the Rockbridge area community will get behind this patriotic initiative in Buena Vista, with momentum building in the weeks leading up to the 250th Independence Day celebration this July 4.
“The program’s mission is to salute, celebrate and honor veterans, living or deceased, who have served in any branch of the United States Armed Forces,” said Sullivan. “Whether in war or peace time, veterans and their families devote their lives to the ser- vice of our country. The sacrifices they make are without parallel: in times of war, veterans put their lives on the line to protect our freedoms and communities, and many have paid the ultimate sacrifice.”
The Roads of Honor program, she explained, allows families, businesses and organizations to honor a veteran by sponsoring a banner. The cost of each banner is $220, which includes the banner and hardware. The banners measure 30” x 60” and are made of durable vinyl and printed on both sides.
Those interested in sponsoring a banner need to complete an application, submit a photo and make a payment via cash or check to Floyd-Davidson American Legion Post 126. To obtain an application or get more information, call Sullivan at (540) 5700648 or email [email protected]. If someone wants to support the program, but does not have a specific veteran in mind, the post “can provide a hero for them to honor,” she said.
To sponsor banners that can be put up in time for the July 4 celebration, applications, photos and payments must be received by June 10.
