Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
The Warsaw Salutes You Banner Recognition Program announced the ninth cycle of military banners now displayed along East Market Street in Warsaw.
The 27 banners honor veterans and memorial honorees who have served the country, according to a provided news release.
The banners were relocated to the East Market Street corridor this year in cooperation with the Warsaw Street Department and will remain on display for one year. The community is invited to take a drive or stroll along East Market Street to view the banners and honor the men recognized for their military service.
A Community Tradition Rooted in Service
The “Warsaw Salutes You” Banner Program began in 2020 as the Kosciusko Youth Leadership Academy (KYLA) project of then-Warsaw Community High School student Elizabeth Stone. Since its beginning, nearly 200 banners have been displayed throughout the greater Warsaw area.
The program is now managed by volunteers Miechi Petro and Megan Stone, former Navy moms, who oversee the application process, manage details and maintain the integrity of the program.
After seeing military banners displayed in other communities, Elizabeth was motivated to bring the program to the Warsaw area. She was also inspired by her older brother, Lt. Nate Stone, a 2012 WCHS graduate who served as a submariner in the United States Navy from 2016–24.
The mission of the Warsaw Salutes You program is to recognize and honor individuals who have served or are currently serving in the United States military while building and strengthening a spirit of community, gratitude and patriotism.
Honoring the 2026 Veterans
The 2026 banners honor the following individuals:
• U.S. Navy Petty Officer 2nd Class Kenneth L. Murphy - Vietnam War
• U.S. Navy Gunners Mate 3rd Class Wade H. Jarrette - World War I
• U.S. Army 82nd Airborne Ellis Cox - D-Day, Battle of Normandy; Purple Heart recipient
• U.S. Army Specialist David Cox - Vietnam War
• U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Christopher R. Brown - Global War on Terrorism
• U.S. Army Cpl. Donal E. Neer - Korean War
• U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. Tom Gatke - Vietnam War
• U.S. Army/Army National Guard Capt. Travis Christman - Global War on Terrorism
• U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Steven Hettler - Vietnam War
• U.S. Army/Army National Guard Sgt. Adam L. Young - Global War on Terrorism
• U.S. Army Tech 4 Forrest “Buck” Hamman - World War II
• U.S. Army Private 1st Class Gene Zolman, 82nd Airborne - World War II
• U.S. Army Cpl. Clifford L. Pifer - World War II
• U.S. Army/U.S. Air Force Brian Klinger - 1990–2011
• U.S. Army Air Corps Second Lt. William C. Florentine, Jr., POW - World War II; 338th Fighter Squadron
• U.S. Machinist Mate 2nd Class Thames “Freddy” Norris - World War II
• U.S. Army Sgt. Jacob C. Bradley - 2018–2025
• U.S. Army Sgt. David L. Breske - Global War on Terrorism
• U.S. Army Private 1st Class Ernest D. Long - World War II
• U.S. Navy Petty Officer 3rd Class Scott Stapleton - 1991–2010
• U.S. Army Private 2nd Class Charles Fletcher, Sr. - 1956–1961
• U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Kirk Swaidner - 1981–1987
• U.S. Army Private Homer Murphy - KIA, Battle of the Bulge, World War II
• U.S. Navy Gunners Mate Missiles Roger Bower - Korean War
• U.S. Army Sgt. Bryan C. Mendenhall - Vietnam War
• U.S. Army Specialist 4th Class Stan Leedy - Vietnam War
Mendenhall and Leedy were sponsored by the Warsaw VFW Post 1126 Auxiliary.
Each honoree has a story of service, commitment and sacrifice.
Megan Stone said, “It is a privilege for us to learn the details of each personal story and recognize each veteran for their accomplishments and sometimes ultimate sacrifice.”
Among this year’s banners are three honorees who were killed in action, identified on their banners by the dagger symbol: Private Homer Murphy, who was killed during Battle of the Bulge in World War II; Thames “Freddy” Norris, who was killed in action on Nov. 13, 1943, during the Bougainville Campaign in the Solomon Islands; and Scott Stapleton, sponsored by Natasha Stapleton.
The program cycle features honorees William C. Florentine, Jr., a World War II prisoner of war, whose banner was sponsored by Johnny Butler; Ellis Cox - D-Day, Battle of Normandy, Purple Heart recipient sponsored by Michael Cox and double bronze star recipient Forrest “Buck” Hamman sponsored by Gary Hamman.
Capt. Travis Christman
This year’s cycle also recognizes Capt. Travis Christman, who was born and raised in Whitley County. He graduated from Whitko High School in 2005 and Ball State University in 2009. Just two weeks after earning his bachelor’s degree, he boarded a bus for Fort Benning, Ga., beginning what would become an 11-year commitment to serving his country.
Christman enlisted in the United States Army as an infantryman and served with the 3rd Infantry Division. After two years of active-duty service, he transitioned to the Indiana Army National Guard, joining the 1st Battalion, 293rd Infantry Regiment in Fort Wayne.
He served as a rifleman and squad designated marksman before attending Officer Candidate School at the Alabama Military Academy. Following OCS and the Infantry Basic Officer Leader Course, he served as an infantry platoon leader, company executive officer, battalion operations officer and company commander.
Throughout his military career, Christman served both at home and abroad. His overseas assignments included a NATO training mission in Slovakia and a Pacific Pathways mission spanning Australia, Indonesia and Japan. He led soldiers through demanding training exercises, joint missions and deployments, consistently demonstrating the leadership, discipline and determination expected of an Army officer.
In 2020, his service took on a new and unexpected role when he was activated to lead 183 Indiana Guardsmen providing 24/7 security at a maximum-security state prison during the COVID-19 pandemic. After seven months, he was selected to serve as District Operations Officer at Indiana National Guard headquarters in Indianapolis, overseeing the deployment of more than 2,000 Guardsmen responding to the pandemic across the state.
He ultimately resigned his commission in September 2020, concluding 11 years of dedicated military service. His decorations include the Air Assault Badge, two Army Commendation Medals, the Meritorious Service Medal, three Army Achievement Medals, the Army Reserve Component Achievement Medal and the Sergeant Major Asa Blanchard Award for Courage, Will and Steadfast Determination.
According to his sponsor, Lindsay Christman, “Travis’s 11 years of service represent a lasting commitment to his country and fellow Hoosiers. From serving overseas to leading Indiana Guardsmen through one of the state’s most challenging periods, he consistently answered the call to serve wherever he was needed. His legacy of leadership, courage, perseverance, and commitment to others continues to reflect the values of the Indiana National Guard and the community he proudly calls home.”
A Banner with Special Meaning
Those traveling along East Market Street may notice one banner displayed farther from the others. This placement is intentional.
An application was submitted by Mary Cole in honor of her father, Clifford Pifer, and his banner is being displayed in front of her childhood home on East Market Street.
Applications Open for the 2027 Cycle
Sponsors interested in honoring a veteran during the 2027 Veterans Day cycle may request an application by emailing warsawsalutesyou@gmail.com. Banners are available to the first 25 completed applicants.
To qualify, honorees must be active-duty or have served in the United States Navy, Army, Air Force, Marine Corps, Coast Guard or National Guard and must be a former or current resident of the greater Warsaw area.
The cost of a new banner is $65, renewal cost with no changes is $40. Following the one-year display cycle, banners are cleaned and returned to the applicants as a memorial keepsake.
The “Warsaw Salutes You” program extends special thanks to Graycraft Printing for its excellence and to the Warsaw Street Department for its support and cooperation, stated the release.
The community is encouraged to visit the “Warsaw Salutes You” Facebook page for featured photographs and stories of the banners.
For more information, contact Megan Stone at 574-527-3723 or email warsawsalutesyou@gmail.com.
