By JAN McLAUGHLIN
BG Independent News
The Bowling Green Community Foundation is looking for more local veterans to salute with banners posted proudly around the city.
Last year, just in time for Memorial Day, 164 veterans banners were posted on light poles around the city of Bowling Green. This year, a second round of banners will be erected – with room for 80 more.
The Hometown Heroes Banner Program is the product of teamwork between the city and the Bowling Green Community Foundation. The 30-by-60-inch banners are placed on light poles throughout the downtown on North and South Main streets, East and West Wooster streets, around Wooster Green, and City Park.
The banners honor those who served in the military from Bowling Green, and a link on the city’s website tells of their lives, and in some cases, their deaths.
Due to the limited number of light poles that can be equipped for the banners, and the many other projects undertaken by the Bowling Green Community Foundation, the program will not be offered on an annual basis, so it is suggested that interested families apply now.
The local veterans recognized by the banners served many roles in the military. Some protected peacetime during turbulent times. Some sacrificed their lives on the battlefield for their fellow soldiers. And some used their skills learned back home to save lives on the seas.
Such is the story of Charles Smith, a lifelong resident of Bowling Green, who started working in his parents’ welding shop on Napoleon Road at age 8. He worked as a welder until he was drafted into the Navy for World War II.
Smith chose an assignment as a carpenter, since he was tired of welding. Initially, he did not wish to be recognized as a highly skilled welder.
However, Smith later received recognition for his outstanding service in repairing a ship that sustained a major break at sea. The assigned sailor welders onboard the ship were unable to repair the ship. So Smith welded the metal breakage on the ship that was in need of dire and immediate repair.
His ship experiences included seeing the raising of the U.S. flag on Mount Suribachi during the Battle of Iwo Jima. Smith earned the American Area Ribbon, Asiatic Pacific Area Ribbon with One Bronze Star, Philippine Liberation Ribbon, and the World War II Victory Ribbon. On his uniform the actual extended ribbon has two bronze stars. When he returned to Bowling Green he became known as an innovative and expert welder.
The Hometown Heroes Banner Program tells the stories of Smith and many more veterans with connections to Bowling Green.
The banners display the service member’s photo, branch of military, and years of service. The BGCF first offered the program last year in celebration of its 30th anniversary, and community response to the program was overwhelmingly positive.
Applications to purchase a banner, or additional information may be found online at www.bgohcf.org, emailing bgcf@bgohcf.org, or by calling 419-352-0281. All banner orders need to be received no later than Friday, March 14.
There is a limit of up to 80 banner spots based on city pole availability, and orders will be accepted in the order in which they are received. Veterans to be honored must have received honorable discharge from the service. The new banners will join the 164 that were ordered last year, in being hung throughout the city in time for the Memorial Day weekend.
For those who would like personal assistance in completing the application and scanning the photographs, two help sessions have been scheduled on Wednesday, Feb. 26 from 4-6 p.m., and Saturday, March 1, from 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. Both sessions will be at the Wood County District Public Library.
Thanks to the generosity of many community members and a lead gift from the A.A. Green family, the cost of the banners will remain the same as last year, at a discounted rate of $80 per banner. Banners honoring veterans who were killed (KIA) or missing (MIA) in action or taken prisoner of war (POW) will be provided at no cost. Individuals will also receive a special mini banner they may display at their home. There are limited grants available in case of financial difficulty.
