Mayor Paul Ricketts would like to thank our Blue Star Banner sponsors who help make our program possible:
GOLD STAR SPONSORS
American Structurepoint
Mr. & Mrs. Darrel Cohron
Commonwealth Engineers, Inc.
Deputy Printing
Harris & Ford
Keiser Consulting, LLC
Monarch Beverage Company, Inc.
Poindexter Excavating
Rick’s Towing
Roberts Glass & Service
Vietnam Veterans of America - Chapter 295
SILVER STAR SPONSORS
Military Officers Association of America, Indianapolis Chapter
BRONZE STAR SPONSORS
Mrs. Terri Bertrand
Jo Ann Brown
Ms. Amanda K. Ricketts
Scott Salsbery
Washington Park East Cemetery and Funeral Center
About the Blue Star Banner Program
At the start of 2010, Mayor Paul Ricketts initiatied a new program in the City of Lawrence that honors local men and women who are active duty military and are currently deployed around the world or stationed throughout the country. Called the Blue Star Banner program, the banners honor local service members or relatives of local residents and/or business owners who are currently serving in the military. The banners are on light fixtures along 56th Street and more will be placed around the City as the program continues to grow.
“The City of Lawrence has a proud history with the military and was the home of the Ft. Harrison Army Post for almost a century”, said Mayor Ricketts. “We continue to have a special connection to the military with the only full service Commissary and PX in the State of Indiana, the Lawrence Readiness Center currently under construction and the Army Reserve base all located here in the City” said Mayor Ricketts. “This is also our way of reminding people when they walk or drive by and see the banners that there are individual men and women who have volunteered to put their normal lives on hold in order to serve their nation and protect its freedoms, even if that means putting themselves in harm’s way – because freedom is never free.”
Each individual banner has a blue star in the center with the name and rank of the local service member being honored. The program recognizes those serving in the Army, Navy, Marines, Air Force, Indiana National Guard and Army Reserves. The cost of the banners has been covered by donations from the business community, military service organizations and individuals. The City continues with fundraising efforts to support the program and freewill donations of any size are welcome.
There will be a ceremony to honor the families of the latest banner recipient service members -- Tuesday, July 6, 2010 at 6:00 PM in the Keller Public Assembly Room of the Lawrence Government Center, 9001 E. 59th Street.
For more information please contact Mayor Ricketts at 545-6191.