Veteran banners honor, recognize service
When driving down a number of Butler County roads, you may notice banners displaying veterans on street lamps.
Those banners, which are cared for by dedicated volunteers and loving families, each honor a veteran and recognize their service.
A member of American Legion Post 117 started the initiative in 2016 by making applications for a banner available to families with loved ones who served. People could submit a picture of their veteran in uniform, when and where they served, and whether they were killed or missing in action.
Jim Dittmer, a Vietnam veteran who’s volunteered to maintain the flags since the beginning, says he doesn’t remember having to advertise the opportunity.
“We didn’t have to reach out,” he said. “We thought we’d do 50, maybe a hundred.”
As it stands, 435 banners fly the entire length of Butler City’s Main Street.
“We got to a point where maintenance would be too much,” he said. “We were maxed out. There’s no more room.”
Since the banners were raised, Dittmer said he does maintenance and replacement on them once a month. They stay up all year round so families always know where their loved one is when they drive past.
“It’s to honor our military, that’s the biggest thing,” he said. “You see these banners in little towns all across the county. It’s a nice tribute to the family, and a nice way of putting (veterans) out there for people to see.”
Chicora Borough’s American Legion Post 642 had its own initiative 15 years ago for banners to be flown on their Main Street.
David Fleeger, a Vietnam veteran and master of ceremonies at the borough’s Memorial Day Parade, said their banners depict veterans who served in World War II and wars as recent as Afghanistan.
“I like to see them up,” he said. “I’d say we’d have 80 to 100 of them.”
One banner particularly special to Dittmer is Jim Steighner’s, which is displayed near Butler’s Diamond Park. Dittmer went to school with Steighner, who was killed in action during his service in Vietnam.
Fleeger and Dittmer said members of the community and veterans alike have expressed their appreciation for the banners, and that they are only one way the county shows its appreciation for servicemen and women.
“Last year we had one of our members who served as a Marine in Vietnam be awarded the Bronze Star at a (Memorial Day) service,” said Fleeger of Chicora’s event. “It was awarded by a Marine general, who said he’s never seen an area show as much patriotism in the same way.”
“I think Butler County does more than most counties in the state,” Dittmer said. “Go on Main Street next Monday and you’ll find out. It’s a big turn out for the parade.”
Every banner displayed in Pennsylvania can be found at https://troopbanners.com/.
