Published in the March 21, 2016 edition.
By MARK SARDELLA
WAKEFIELD — You’ve probably seen the “Honor Banner” that hangs above the entrance to the Americal Civic Center. The banner welcomes home Wakefield’s active duty military personnel and honors the town’s veterans by displaying their names.
Wakefield’s Veterans Services Officer Alicia Reddin and the Wakefield Veterans Advisory Board want everyone to know that the banner is now available to honor any veteran, past or present, as well as any active duty military personnel.
To nominate a Soldier, Sailor, Marine or Airman, contact the Wakefield Veterans Services Office at 781-246-6377. There is now also a new online form that you can use to nominate a service member or veteran. The form can be found at mwsveteranservices.org/wakefield-honor-banner.html
Whether you nominate someone by phone or use the online form, you will need to provide certain basic information.
For current service members, please provide the name of the honoree, the branch of service, current military rank and the nominee’s contact information for any corrections and sign delivery.
To honor a Wakefield veteran, you will need to provide the veteran’s name, branch of service, highest military rank and contact information.
Proof of service may be required to ensure accuracy.
The banner stays up for about two weeks, depending on the demand, and after it comes down the name placard is given back to the veteran or family member who nominated them.
There is no charge for this service thanks to the generous support of The Sign Shop, located at 5 Lincoln St. The Sign Shop was honored by the Wakefield Veterans Advisory Board for outstanding support in 2015.
“We hope that the Wakefield community embraces this opportunity that The Sign Shop has been so generous in providing,” said Wakefield VSO Alicia Reddin.
