Veteran's banners fly on Second Avenue

Lamp posts along 2nd Avenue in Niwot were decorated with banners for the first year of a project honoring our local veterans. Each of the 32 banners is a tribute to U.S. service men and women with a connection to Niwot. Honorees' photographs, names, their years of service and which branch they served in are printed on each commemorative banner. Chances are many last names on the banners will be familiar to our readers.

Sheila Ray, who first brought the veterans' project idea to the Niwot Community Association and Niwot Business Association, was on hand to help Bill and Jill Whitener install the banners on Friday, Oct. 11. Ray's hometown of Emporia, Kan. has a similar display along its Main Street.

"I'm really proud to be part of this community that saw the value of honoring our veterans and took my ideas of putting up banners and made it happen," Ray said.

The Valdez family, owners of the Left Hand Corner Professional Suites and Niwot Liquor Store, also hung a banner. This large sign acknowledges gratitude for all veterans.

Veteran's Day is observed on Monday, Nov. 11 and a ceremony will be held in Old Town Niwot on Sunday, Nov. 10 to celebrate the national holiday. The banners will be in place until Nov. 15.

For more information including who sponsored each banner and a biography of each honored veteran, visit http://www.niwot.org/draft-veteran-bios/