Inaugural Military Banner Program Draws Strong Community Support

Starting May 1, banners featuring 13 members of the U.S. armed forces with Fountain Valley ties will be displayed on utility poles throughout the city.

The was introduced this year by the Fountain Valley Community Foundation. The banners will be displayed until Veterans Day, after which they will be presented to honorees no longer on active duty. Honorees on active duty will have the option of having their banners renewed for the following year.

"When several of these get up, I think we're going to have a flood of banners," said Don Grimm, a local resident who approached city officials in Fountain Valley after seeing similar banners in Huntington Beach. "I think it's the least we can do to honor the military. Somewhere along the way we should offer the opportunity for businesses in our city to put up some sponsorship money if they want."

Although no official sponsorship program is yet in place for the banners, Rainbow Disposal donated $200 to the program, enough to cover the cost of one of the banners.

"We felt pretty strongly about supporting that," Rainbow Chairman Ron Shenkman. "It's the least we can do as a company. It made us feel good to be able to do that. Veterans deserve everything we can give them. It was a pretty easy decision for us."