Frequently Asked Questions
I want to order a banner...
Where do I start?
There are 5 steps:
1. Collect this information about the person you wish to honor with a banner:
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full name as you wish it to appear on the banner
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rank at the time of discharge, or current rank if active duty
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dates served, such as 1944 to 1946 or 1974 to 1978 (years only)
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any prestigious medals received, such as Bronze Star, Silver Star, Purple Heart, etc. The veteran’s discharge Form DD-214 will be helpful in establishing accurate information.
2. Download the application form or pick up a paper copy of the form at an area business or church. Use the information you’ve gathered in step 1 to complete it.
3. Locate a good quality photo of the honoree, preferably in uniform. If possible, have the photo scanned at a high resolution (600 dpi) to convert it to digital format. If you don’t have the equipment to do this, contact us at shanksvillesalutes@gmail.com and we can help, or take the photo to a printing or copying business with this capability and have them scan it at 600 dpi and email it to shanksvillesalutes@gmail.com
4. Mail the completed application, a copy of the veteran’s Form DD-214, if possible, and a check for $210 to Shanksville Borough, PO Box 127, Shanksville, PA 15560. Make your check payable to Shanksville Borough with the words, “Military Banner Project” in the memo line.
5. Email the digital photo of the service member you wish to honor to shanksvillesalutes@gmail.com with the veteran’s name in the subject line. If you don’t have a digital photo, please use our Contact for assistance. We can arrange to scan your photo while you wait. Please do not mail ORIGINAL photos!
Complete all five steps before Friday, February 14, 2025
What if I don’t have a good-quality photograph of the veteran I wish to honor?
Call us to discuss this problem. Even a wallet-sized photo can make an acceptable banner if it is scanned properly. Photos can be either black and white or color. If no photos of the veteran exist, we can substitute a silhouette resembling a soldier of the correct era.
What if I don’t have the Form DD-214 for my service member? Can I still sponsor a banner?
Yes! We will work with you to locate the necessary information for the banner.
What is the size of the banner?
The banners are 24” wide by 48” high. They are made of heavy-duty vinyl and printed with the same image on both sides.
When will the banners be installed?
The goal is to install the banners during the month of May 2025, so they will be in place for Memorial Day. These durable vinyl banners are projected to last 3 to 4 years.
What happens to my banner when it is retired after 3 to 4 years?
When they can no longer be displayed, retired banners will be offered to their sponsors to keep, but must be picked up in Shanksville. If Shanksville Borough decides to continue the program in the future, sponsors may be given the opportunity to purchase a new banner.
Can any military person be honored on a banner?
For this project, a service person honored with a banner must be honorably discharged or actively serving, and either the service person OR his or her immediate family must have lived full-time in the Shanksville-Stonycreek School District (that’s Shanksville Borough, Stonycreek Township, or Indian Lake Borough) for at least 10 years.
May I use a credit or debit card, Zelle, Venmo, or other electronic means to pay for my banner?
No. At this time the only method of payment we can accept is a check made payable to Shanksville Borough with “Military Banner Project” in the memo line.
May I donate to the project even if I don’t have a local service member to honor?
Yes! Donations in any amount are welcome and may be sent in the form of a check made out to Shanksville Borough with “Military Banner Project” in the memo line. Mail to Shanksville Borough at PO Box 127, Shanksville, PA 15560.
Is this project a fundraiser for some organization?
No. The $210 cost to sponsor a banner is exactly the cost of the banner, the hardware kit needed to hang it, and a portion of the cost of installation. Donations to the program will be used to pay for installation, shipping, and other costs. If the program continues in future years, the cost to sponsor a banner may be higher due to price increases from the banner and hardware manufacturers.
May I select the location of the pole where my banner will hang?
No. We will make every attempt to place the banners at appropriate locations, but we cannot guarantee a specific placement. There is limited space remaining within Shanksville Borough to hang additional banners, but there are many suitable locations along Stutzmantown Road, Brotherton Road, Shanksville Road, Cornerstone Road, Lambertsville Road, and Causeway.
What is the deadline for the application, photo, and payment to be submitted?
Friday, February 14, 2025
Will my name appear on the banner as the sponsor?
No. We have chosen to use the limited space of the banner to honor the named veteran or service member and to thank all those who have served our country.
Who designed this banner?
A committee appointed by Shanksville Borough Council consulted local veterans for input and worked with a graphic artist at Gates Flag and Banner of Clifton, NJ, to create this design which is unique to Shanksville’s project. The final design was approved by Shanksville Borough Council.
Is financial assistance available if I can’t afford the $210 cost of the banner, hardware, and installation?
Please contact us to discuss your situation.
Can my out-of-town relatives get involved in this project?
Yes, as long as the one being honored OR his or her immediate family lived in the Shanksville community for at least 10 years. Share this link with them to get started: www.shanksvillesalutes.org