From The Intelligencer: BENWOOD –- Benwood’s banner program is flourishing with 75 banners honoring veterans now up on poles across the city.
David McLaughlin, director of Operations and Development for Benwood, said the city wanted to start the program as a way to honor and thank veterans of today and long ago for their military service to the country.
The city sent out a mailer to residents letting them know of the program, which led to an initial wave of banners. Residents can still order a banner through the city clerk’s office at 304-232-4320. The banners cost $125 each and include a photo of the veteran, their name and some information about them. He noted those who want to get the banners made extra fast can pay an extra $25.
“We didn’t do it as a fundraiser. That’s what it costs to produce it and that’s all we charged you,” he said.
McLaughlin said the city placed the banners as close to the area where a person wanted it. For example, a banner for the late Anthony “Undo” Sparachane was placed by Undo’s restaurant in the city.
McLaughlin said he has enjoyed seeing people stopping to take photos of the banners. He has seen whole families take photos with them.
“It’s very popular and people love it,” he said. “We started putting banners up, holiday banners, two years ago. Instead of Christmas lights we do banners. We do banners for all the holidays,” he added.
McLaughlin said the veteran banners would stay up through the summer and for Veterans Day. Once taken down the city will store them and then put them back up for Memorial Day next year.
McLaughlin said he is impressed with the quality of the banners.
“It turned out great. We have a family submit a photo. The company sends a proof. We have the family check the proof and then we order it,” he said. “We wanted to honor our veterans and thank our veterans from long ago and today and we thought this would be an honorable way to do it.”
