As Memorial Day comes and goes, summer unfolds with its barbecues, vacations, and long days, we should hold onto the solemn gratitude that filled our hearts just a few short days ago.
While it is often thought of as the unofficial start of summer, Memorial Day is meant to be more than that and more than a simple three-day weekend. It is a sacred pause. It is a national moment to honor the men and women who gave their lives in service to our country. But while the day itself is fleeting, our appreciation for those who served should not be.
True patriotism is not confined to one single Monday in May. It shows up in how we care for veterans, how we teach our children about the cost of freedom, and how we preserve the memory of those who wore the uniform with honor. That is why I believe carrying the spirit of Memorial Day forward, through our actions, remembrance, and service, is not only respectful but necessary.
Here in our city, we are fortunate to see this kind of year-round commitment taking root in meaningful ways. Under the leadership of Mayor Denny Magruder, new initiatives to honor veterans have added depth to how our community remembers and celebrates their service not just on holidays, but every day.
One of the most visible and heartfelt of these efforts is the city’s Veterans Banner Program. This initiative invites families to honor their loved ones—past or present, living or deceased—who have served in the United States Armed Forces. Each banner is customized with a photo, name, branch of service, and conflicts in which they served, and is prominently displayed on utility poles throughout town, creating a powerful and personal visual tribute.
The banner program, implemented under Mayor Magruder’s leadership, is quickly becoming a beloved feature of our city’s landscape, through which the city’s veterans will be honored by displaying their banners between Memorial Day and Veterans Day each year. It has transformed our streets into corridors of remembrance.
This seemingly simple act serves as a reminder for each of us daily of the sacrifices our neighbors have made in the name of duty.
This initiative is brought to Wheeling by the VFW, the American Legion Post 1, the city of Wheeling, and the newly formed Wheeling military banner program foundation. Its founding member, John Larch, a volunteer has stated his involvement in the program was inspired by his late father, Walter Larch, Jr., who was a six-year Air Force veteran. It has been met with great reception in our community.
If you walk or drive down any of the streets lined with these banners along key Wheeling routes, you will see the faces of veterans from every era—World War II heroes, Vietnam veterans, Gulf War service members, and post-9/11 warriors. Their presence on these banners is more than decorative. It is instructional. It tells the story of courage, commitment, and sacrifice woven into the fabric of our city.
Residents slow their pace to look up. Children ask questions. Conversations begin. That is how remembrance takes root, organically, personally, and communally. I love seeing these banners pop up along my drive.
What makes this program so special is its simplicity. It does not require a massive budget or complicated logistics. Just a photo, a name, and some general information about your loved one and their service. The impact is profound, as it should be.
For families or individuals interested in participating, they should submit a quality photograph of their veteran, along with an application (available at http://www.wheelingmilitarybanners.com), a $125 check made payable to Wheeling Military Banner Program which covers the cost of the two-sided 2’ x 3’ banner, bracket, hardware, and website support. Drop-off locations for this material include the Ohio County Public Library, the Howard Long Wellness Center, and the Fitzsimmons Law Firm in Warwood.
Photos will be kept at Mimi’s Hallmark in Elm Terrace for safekeeping until picked up by the submitting family. More information about this program is available by calling (304)281-8811, by email at wheelingmilitarybannerprogram@gmail.com, or on Facebook Wheeling Military Banner Program. Communication is fabulous, and the turnaround is quick.
I had the photo I submitted of my dad back in less than a week.
Programs like this are a reminder that we do not need to wait for a national holiday to pay tribute. We can live in a state of active remembrance all year long. Incorporate a visit to a veteran’s memorial. Volunteer with a veterans’ organization. Attend a flag-raising ceremony or simply say “thank you” when you see someone in uniform. Support local businesses owned by veterans. Donate to nonprofits that provide housing, healthcare, and job training to those transitioning out of military life.
These are the things we should do every single day.
If you are in a position of influence, whether as an educator, a faith leader, or a public official, consider how your role can help sustain the stories of our veterans. Invite them to speak in classrooms.
Archive their oral histories. Ensure that their needs are not an afterthought but a priority.
Let us also remember that honoring veterans means taking care of the living. We must continue to advocate for better access to mental health services, streamlined VA processes, and stronger support systems for families of those who serve. These are not just policy issues; they are moral imperatives.
Carrying the spirit of Memorial Day forward requires more than memory; it requires motion. It means living each day with a sense of civic responsibility and reverence for those who put their lives on the line. It means showing up not just with words, but with deeds.
As the banners wave gently in the summer breeze, let them be more than decoration. Let them be a call to action. Let them challenge us to live lives worthy of the sacrifices they represent. Let them remind us that while freedom is free to enjoy, it has never been free to earn.
To Mayor Magruder, his administration, the foundation, and Mr. Larch, thank you for ensuring that our veterans are not just remembered on Memorial Day, but are honored every day.
To the families who have shared the stories and images of their loved ones with the community, thank you for your courage, your candor, and your trust.
May we never grow complacent in our freedom, nor forgetful of its price. May we always find ways, big and small, to ensure that Memorial Day does not end but rather echo, through each of us, every single day of the year.
