Here is one of the new banners being displayed on East Market Street in Warsaw for Veterans Day. InkFreeNews photo by Dan Spalding.

News Release

WARSAW — A new round of “Warsaw Salutes You” banners will go on display this week for Veterans Day on East Market Street, Warsaw.

The Military Banner Program was initiated in 2020 by Warsaw Community High School 2021 graduate and Kosciusko Youth Leadership Academy member Elizabeth Stone as a way to honor and recognize active and former military service men and women from the greater Warsaw area.

Elizabeth was inspired to bring this project to the greater Warsaw area by her older brother, Lieutenant Nate Stone, former KYLA member and 2012 WCHS grad, who is actively serving in the United States Navy.

To qualify, honorees must be a former or current resident of the greater Warsaw area and must be serving or have served in the United States Navy, Army, Air Force, Marines, Coast Guard or National Guard.

Since the program’s initiation, nearly 100 active, veteran or memorial honorees have been recognized. Elizabeth is currently attending college, and Navy moms Miechi Petro and Megan Stone are continuing the program in her absence.

The banners were originally on a six-month rotation, but the banners will now be displayed annually on Veterans Day and will be enjoyed for an entire year. The hope is that this will give more time to honor and appreciate those who served or are currently serving in the military. The program recognizes this as a great opportunity to build and strengthen community and the spirit of patriotism.

The following banners will be displayed this year:

• U.S. Marine Corp., Private First Class Chad Eryman Jr., 2022
• U.S. Army Specialist 4th Class James Stroup, Vietnam War
• U.S. Army, Jack Garman, World War II
• Niki J Shumpert, U.S. Army Sergeant First Class, Global War on Terrorism
• U.S. Army Sergeant David Morgan, Vietnam War
• U.S. Army Corporal Charles Wiard, Korean War
• U.S. Navy Fireman Jack Helvey, Korean War
• U.S. Navy, Dustin Baker, Global War on Terrorism
• U.S. Army Sergeant Carla Thomas, Global War on Terrorism
• U.S. Army Private First Class Austin Wine, Global War on Terrorism
• U.S. Army Staff Sergeant, Duane Gable, World War II
• U.S. Navy, Richard Johnson, Korean War
• U.S. Army First Lieutenant Glenn Morehead, Korean War
• U.S. Army Captain, Dr. Charles Hollar, 1964-1966
• U.S. Navy MM2 Richard Stockman, Korean War
• U.S. Army Tec 5 Elbert Loftin, World War II
• U.S. Navy Quartermaster 2 Keaton Landis, World War II
• U.S. Army Captain L. Michael Schlitt, Global War on Terrorism