American Legion plans expansion of banner display for veterans

Members of the Jeannette American Legion Post 344 are looking to expand a popular program honoring the city’s military veterans.

First vice commander Jim Henderson said there are 100 more veterans set to be recognized, adding to the 100 service members who have already been memorialized through banners being affixed to utility poles.

Clay Avenue has been blanketed with the banners and more are expected to be put up on Fourth Street. With visitors to town expected for events such as the Jeannette Business Association’s concert and food trucks through the summer, Henderson said the banners will help the city make a good impression.

“It’s a large draw for people downtown and to have them up, people walking up and down Clay Avenue looking at those, it really helps the city,” Henderson said.

Towns around the region have been putting up similar banners in recent years and that’s how legion commander Arthur “Sonny” Blasco said he got the idea. The legion got permission from city council and West Penn Power to put the banners on Clay Avenue and Fourth Street utility poles. They are planning to expand the project to sections of Lowry and Harrison avenues and Division, Second and South Fifth streets.

City council approved part of the next phase at its February meeting. Dan Jarvis, a member of the Jeannette group’s Legion Riders, is working with West Penn Power for approval and Fejes Signs is creating and installing the banners.

Blasco said the legion had a lot of interest from veterans and their families.

“It really feels good in my heart,” he said.

The Clay Avenue banners, mostly of World War II or Korean War veterans, were put up in the fall. Veterans or their families who apply for a banner must have spent at least part of their life in Jeannette if they aren’t currently a resident, Henderson said.

The $180 cost covers the banner and metal brackets to install them. The legion is not making any money on the project.

“Once those banners are up, they’re up forever,” Henderson said. “There’s no time limit on them.”

If a banner becomes damaged by the weather or other factors, the person who initially paid for it will be contacted to see if they want a new one, he said.

Henderson is accepting applications. He can be reached at 724-454-8726.

“We’ve gotten all positive comments, it’s … really exciting for us, for the legion,” he said.