A Warsaw Salutes You banner program banner in downtown Warsaw. The program displays banners of Warsaw veterans in yearly cycles, honoring their legacy for family, friends and passers-by to see. Photos provided by Warsaw Salutes You.

By Maksym Hart
InkFreeNews

WARSAW — A program which began as a high school project has grown into a community tradition.

The Warsaw Salutes You Banner Recognition Program recently unveiled its eighth cycle of banners, now relocated to the downtown courthouse square to improve visibility and celebrate local military service members.

The 26, new 17-by-20-inch banners honor men and women from every branch of the U.S. military with veterans and memorial honorees, remaining on display for an entire year.

The move downtown marks a new chapter for the initiative, which began in 2020 as then-Warsaw Community High School student Elizabeth Stone’s Kosciusko Youth Leadership Academy project. She was also inspired to take on the project by her older brother, Lt. Nate Stone, a 2012 Warsaw Community High School graduate who has served in the Navy since 2016.

“Elizabeth saw similar banners in other communities and wanted to bring that to Warsaw,” said her mother, Megan Stone, who now coordinates the program alongside her daughter’s mentor, Miechi Petro.

Though the arrival of the COVID-19 pandemic meant that year’s KYLA projects were canceled, Elizabeth Stone had already done the initial work and decided to continue regardless.

Elizabeth Stone, right, was inspired to take on the “Warsaw Salutes You” banner project in high school by her older brother Lieutenant Nate Stone, left, a 2012 Warsaw Community High School graduate who has served in the Navy since 2016.

“My daughter (said), “I still want to do it for the veterans. I know I don’t have to, but this really matters to me,” Megan Stone said. “Her initial intent was simply to honor veterans, but over time we realized how personal it became for families, sponsors, and the veterans themselves.”

Megan Stone, in turn, decided to keep up her daughter’s work after Elizabeth Stone left for college.

Since its inception, Warsaw Salutes You has recognized more than 150 honorees.

This year’s display includes banners for veterans such as EIlis Cox, who served in the U.S. Army’s 82nd Airborne Division during World War II and parachuted into Normandy on D-Day.

His son, Michael Cox, shared his father’s story and said the recognition means a great deal.

“I think it’s great. I’m glad we could do something like that,” Michael Cox said. “A lot of things get overlooked these days, but this is a great program. My brother served in Vietnam, and I’m applying to have him honored next year, too.” The 2025 cycle also features a surprise from the Warsaw Noon Optimist Club, whose members secretly nominated their five veteran members: William Cook, Gaylord Johnston, John Peyton, Tim Tague and John Skeel.

“They were totally surprised,” said Kathy Hammond, who helped organize the effort. “It was hilarious and heartwarming. We had to work with their wives to get the photos behind their backs, and when we announced it at our banquet, they were dumbfounded. It was so cool.”

Hammond said the group was particularly glad to see the banners moved to the courthouse square, where more people can enjoy them.

“Our community is amazing,” she added.

The late Ellis Cox is one of the 26 honorees for the eighth and latest round of Warsaw Salutes You banners. As part of the 82nd Airborne, Cox was dropped over Normandy on D-Day, fighting three weeks and earning a Purple Heart despite his unit all being dropped off-target. He was 19 at the time.

Megan Stone said community enthusiasm remains strong, with many families already inquiring about the 2026 cycle.

Only 25 banners are available each year, and are offered to the first completed applications received. Honorees must have served or currently serve in any branch of the U.S. military and have ties to the greater Warsaw area.

The banners are produced through Grayeraft Printing and installed by the Warsaw Street Department, which Stone described as “exceptionally committed” to the project.

A public gathering was held Tuesday, Nov. 11, at the Kosciusko County Courthouse Square, where sponsors, honorees, families and community members viewed the new displays and enjoyed refreshments.

Megan Stone said the event fulfills a vision her daughter had from the beginning.

“Elizabeth always dreamed of having a reception for the honorees,” she said. “It’s beautiful to see how the community has embraced this idea and continues to make it grow.”

For more information or to apply for next year’s cycle, contact [email protected] or visit the Warsaw Salutes You Facebook page.

This years banners are as follows: