By Conrad Dudderar
Associate Editor
Patriotic banners honoring 57 military heroes and 11 first responders now adorn street poles along Route 66 in Yukon.
City of Yukon Street Department crews installed the impressive banners along Main Street on Tuesday and Wednesday for Yukon 66 Main Street’s fourth annual “Yukon Salutes” program.
“We are so grateful for the support we receive from all City departments and staff for our programming throughout the year,” Yukon Main Street Director Vicki Davis said.
“The Yukon 66 Main Street Association simply would not be able to accomplish many of our projects and our events in our downtown district without this great partnership.”
The 57 military banners feature images and names of both U.S. veterans and active-duty personnel. The 11 first responder banners include firefighters and police officers.
Two banners were placed Wednesday morning in front of Buddy Carpenter’s Ace Hardware store, 405 W Main.
The banners honor the memory of Buddy’s father Paul – who served in the U.S. Navy during World War II; and his brother Tom, who worked 25 years for the Oklahoma City Fire Department before volunteering 10 years for the Yukon Fire Department.
Buddy Carpenter, who was a longtime Yukon volunteer firefighter, said he was very pleased with how the banners look – right next to his Ace Hardware sign.
Paul Carpenter served 15 years on Yukon Public Schools’ Board of Education.
KICKOFF CEREMONY
A ceremony and ribbon cutting for the Yukon Salutes program will be 10 p.m. this Saturday, Oct. 14 hosted by the Yukon Veterans Museum, 1012 W Main. The public is invited.
State Rep. Jay Steagall (R-Yukon) will be the featured speaker at the kickoff reception.
Steagall, who represents House District 43, is a Yukon Main Street business owner and U.S. Air Force veteran.
Saturday’s event will feature the unveiling of a special World War II public art exhibit – which arrived Wednesday at the museum.
Refreshments will be served.
Yukon’s banner display “celebrates and honors the men and women in our lives and in the community who contribute to our safety, health and freedoms,” according to the Yukon 66 Main Street Association’s website.
The 68 banners are the most on display in an individual year since the Yukon Salutes program started, according to Davis.
The banner display is presented in conjunction with Veterans Appreciation Month, observed Oct. 11 through Nov. 11 in Yukon.
Mayor Shelli Selby will read a Veterans Appreciation Month proclamation at Saturday morning’s Yukon Salutes event.
