The Warsaw Salutes You Banner Recognition Program announced the seventh cycle of banners currently displayed on East Market Street in Warsaw.
The 25 banners that are featured for Veterans Day recognize veterans, memorial honorees and one active-duty military member. The banners will be displayed for an entire year, according to a provided news release.
The Warsaw Salutes You Banner Program began in 2020 as Warsaw Community High School student Elizabeth Stone’s KYLA project. Since the beginning of the program, 125 honorees have been recognized. Elizabeth is currently attending college and her mentor Miechi Petro and Elizabeth’s mother, Megan Stone, oversee the program in her absence.
After observing banners featured in other communities Elizabeth was motivated to bring the project to the greater Warsaw area. She was also inspired by her older brother, Lieutenant Nate Stone, 2012 WCHS graduate and KYLA member who has also served in the Navy since 2016. The hope of the program is to recognize and honor those individuals who have served or are currently serving the country’s military, to build and strengthen a spirit of community and patriotism, stated the release.
The 2024 Warsaw Salutes You Banners honor the following individuals: U.S. Marine Corps. Corp. Bret Slaybaugh, 1982-1986; U.S. Army Sgt. Keith Sheets, Vietnam War, Indiana Army National Guard; U.S. Army Capt. Joseph S. Swanson, World War II; U.S. Marine Corps Capt. Brian J. Swanson, Global War on Terrorism (IRAQ); U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Steven Hettler, Vietnam War; U.S. Coast Guard Petty Officer Ayrton James, 2023-Current; U.S. Army Sgt. Otis Williams, 1959-1966; U.S. Army Private First Class Kyle Allen,1983-1989; U.S. Army Specialist 4th Class Larry Neher, Vietnam War; U.S. Navy Construction Mechanic Kenneth E. Swain, Vietnam War, Seabees; U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Christopher O. Solorzano, 2016-2020; U.S. Army Armor Crewman Dan A Somers, Cold War Era; U.S. Navy Chief Petty Officer Frederick Gresso, World War II; U.S. Army Corp. Clifford L. Pifer, World War II; U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Michael Davis, Vietnam War; U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Jim “Whitey” Wideman, Vietnam War; U.S. Marine Corps Private First Class Raymond Bledsoe, Vietnam War; U.S. Army Sgt. Carl “Bonsey” Bevins, Vietnam War; U.S. Army Specialist Kimberly Pulsipher, Panama; U.S. Army Private First Class Max A. Huffer, 1956-1962; U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Alexander Miller, 2017-2022; U.S. Army Sgt. Randy Jones, Vietnam Era; U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. James “Rick” Jacobs, Vietnam War; U.S. Army Specialist Kerry Boggs, Vietnam War; U.S. Army Private Homer Murphy, KIA Battle of the Bulge, World War II.
An application was submitted by twin brothers, Tommy and Jimmy Seifert, who are serving active-duty military. They have chosen to honor their grandfather, Frederick Gresso who served as a chief petty officer in the U.S. Navy during World War II. After returning home from World War II, Frederick built a house on East Market Street in Warsaw where he and his wife raised their family. The grandsons requested that Gresso’s banner be hung in his honor on the pole located on East Market Street in front of the home their grandfather built, stated the release.
This cycle of banners also include grandfather and grandson, Joseph S. Swanson and Brian J. Swanson who are featured together. These honorees are sponsored by Randy and Barb Swanson. Also recognized is the only active-duty honoree, Ayrton James who is currently serving as petty officer in the U.S. Coast Guard. Ayrton, son of Chad and Heather James of Warsaw is assigned to Sector Detroit and working as a Marine Science Technician. His duties include to promote and ensure safe travel at sea and protection of the environment.
Several honorees are being sponsored by the Sons of the American Legion, Squadron 49.
Sponsors can request an application for the 2025 Veterans Day cycle by emailing [email protected]. Banners are offered to the first 25 completed applicants.
To qualify honorees must be active duty or have served in the United States Navy, Army, Air Force, Marines, Coast Guard or National Guard. The honorees must be former or current residents of the greater Warsaw area. The cost of the banner is $65 and following the one-year cycle display the banners are cleaned and returned to the applicants as a memorial keepsake. All are invited to take a stroll down East Market Street corridor to admire the banners and honor the military men and women for their service. Special thanks to Graycraft Printing for their excellence and Warsaw Street Department for their support and cooperation. Visit Warsaw Salutes You Facebook page for featured photos of banners. For more information, contact Megan Stone at 574-527-3723.
Warsaw Salutes You Banner Program has supported Pierceton representatives to help volunteers get a Hometown Hero program initiated in the Pierceton community as well. For more information about Pierceton Honors program contact Deb Finken at 574-453-7415.