West Deer OKs hanging banners honoring military veterans on utility poles

West Deer officials have approved a program to honor veterans with banners hung from utility poles.

The military banners program was approved in a 5-1 vote, with Supervisor Gerry Vaerewyck opposing it.

Under the program, residents can honor a family member who served in the Armed Forces by buying a banner. The banner will have a photo of the veteran being honored along with other information such as the branch and years in which the veteran served.

The township will place the banners on utility poles.

It’s much like programs that have become popular in other communities, such as Tarentum, East Deer and Lower Burrell.

Vaerewyck objected to the program, recalling a similar one that was undertaken about 10 years ago to honor Deer Lakes High School football alumni.

He said that the program became a “complete fiasco” as banners were erected only to be blocked from view by trees. He said that forced the township to go out and do tree trimming.

Vaerewyck doubted there wouldn’t be very many poles where a veteran’s banner could be clearly seen.

“You don’t honor them by sticking their image behind a tree somewhere,” he said. “I think it is a bad idea, and we should not do it.”

Township Manager Dan Mator said that Supervisor Richard DiSanti has been working to develop the program and scouted poles along East Union and Starr Road-Little Deer Creek roads where the banners would be placed.

He said DiSanti counted more than 120 utility poles that would offer unobstructed views of the banners.

Other supervisors said they think the program is a good idea and one that residents will support.