A Sign of Respect
by Emma Dixon
The Winter Springs Town Center will soon be adorned with the faces of several local men and women who have served their country in the United States Armed Forces.
In January, the city will launch its Winter Springs Veterans Banner Program, with commemorative signs honoring six residents for their military service. The banners (which are currently being printed) will feature their military photo, name, rank, branch of service, and years served.
The initiative originated with the city’s Veteran and Veteran Family Advisory Committee and was approved by the Winter Springs City Commission this past fall.
“Being able to honor those who have served or currently serve in the Armed Forces is something our city takes very seriously,” says Matthew Reeser, communications director for the City of Winter Springs. “We feel they should be recognized – and not for just one day a year.”
Having a Banner Year
The banners will be displayed on right-of-way streetlight poles at the Winter Springs Town Center along Blumberg Boulevard from Bear Springs Drive to Tuskawilla Road, from early January to early June each year.
In future years, city officials hope to grow the program beyond the six banners in this first batch.
To qualify for recognition, honorees must be on active duty, retired, or honorably discharged from the military. Veterans who have passed away are also eligible. All honorees must live or have lived in Winter Springs at some point in their lives.
Sponsorship of each banner costs $200, which includes the design, printing, and installation. There is an annual renewal fee of $100.
One of the inaugural honorees is Captain Laurel Ross, who serves as chair of the Veteran and Veteran Family Advisory Committee. Capt. Ross, who has lived in the Winter Springs area since 2004, served for eight years in the Army as a pilot.
“The banners can be used as teachable moments for students and others to find out more about what our nation’s protectors do to enable our communities to have the freedoms that were fought so hard for,” she says.
A Fitting Tribute
The initiative is especially meaningful to Mayor Kevin McCann of Winter Springs. His 24-year-old son, Ben, is a petty officer in the United States Coast Guard, serving aboard the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Oak.
“The banner program is a small but nevertheless fitting way to acknowledge those who have made the choice to serve their city and their nation,” says Kevin.
Capt. Ross encourages community members to nominate a loved one, coworker, neighbor, or friend for the program.
“How amazing would it be if we could fill Blumberg Boulevard with banners on every pole?” she says. “Please consider digging out those old photos, having a conversation with your veteran or service member, and recognizing their service in our own community.”
Capt. Ross hopes the banners will be a source of inspiration to all, but especially to the city’s youngest residents.
“I’d love to see the next generation look up and see the faces that go with names from our community and understand that it takes people just like them to fill our Armed Forces,” she says.
For more information, please visit WinterSpringsFl.org/veterans-banner-program.