Banners Honor Our Veterans

While some were snuggled beneath warm quilts or had their hands wrapped around a hot cup of morning coffee, Eric and Delsi Witmer were busy chattering their teeth to keep from freezing. With a crisp breeze feeling like it was blowing off an iceberg, the Witmer's were out putting up the third series of banners honoring Phillips County's Hometown Heroes, those that answered the call to serve their country through the various branches of the military. This project is how the Witmer's chose to honor the veterans, by placing banners up on a breezy Saturday morning, so that others will know some of those who has served for the red, white and blue.

This is the third year of their project, and this year they had the largest response to the placing of orders, with 56 flags ordered. The flags are placed on the various poles in the downtown business district and along Central Avenue. Witmer's started putting up the banners on Friday night.

The banners honor veterans from WWll to the current and on-going Global War on Terror. Flags flying this time honor Sigurd Salveson, Zane Robinson, William Kangas, Oscar Sunford, Richard Bostrom, Miles Henry, George Lamb, Isaac Frye, Earl Wasson, David Erickson, Robert Bushman, James Maxie, Fred Olson, Leslie Eskildsen, James Campbell, Ben Stevens, and Thomas Appelhans. There is a banner, hanging by the VFW Post 4067 honoring Norman "Buster" Deo, for whom the 4067 is named in honor of. Deo was the first Phillips County casualty of WWll.

From the Korean War, veterans include Benjamin Fewer, Carl Kaasa, Delmar LaBrie, Walter Norman, George Eklund, Phillip Sims, and James Caves.

Banners that hang for Vietnam veterans Jerry Larsen, Larry Komis, Richard Appelhans, David Hansen, and Ric Lamb. The Persian Gulf War is remembered by the service of James Brant Young and Joey Chase.

The Global War on Terror has banners of Henry Oyler, Lacey Lodmell, Tory Lodmell, William Hanson, Darin Hanson, Kevin Hanson, Travis Lamb, Dusty Prestwich, Tamela Abrahamson, and Alex Anderson.

Ray Jones and Samuel Webb are honored with banners from the Cold War.

Some banners designate years of service, including: Allen Ramsey (1969-1969; Jeffrey Hould (1976-1979); William Murdock (1955-1959); James Sintler (21 yrs. MANG); Yolanda Kelly (1973-1985); Kelly Morgan (1977-1984); and Ray McMullen (1958-1960).

On behalf of the residents of Phillips County and those who have family remembered on these banners, we appreciate, Eric and Delsi, for your tireless dedication to this worthwhile project. Your efforts, dedication and service will be appreciated by many and are sure to not only bring a smile to many faces...it may even plant seeds of patriotism.