Commemorative Banners Hang Outdoors at California University of Pennsylvania

Last Updated on Wednesday, 29 July 2015 15:44

Order Banners Now to Honor Service Members, Veterans with Ties to Cal U.

Each fall, California University of Pennsylvania salutes its service members and veterans by displaying colorful banners that highlight their military service. Now through Sept. 25, the Office of Veterans Affairs at Cal U will be accepting applications for new banners to add to the array.

Each sturdy red-white-and-blue banner includes a photo of the Cal U student, graduate, employee or family member being recognized, along with details about his or her military service.

Each honoree should have a direct or family tie to the campus community or Cal U Global Online. All members of the U.S. armed services are eligible, including current, former or reserve members of the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines and Coast Guard.

The banners transform the Cal U campus each year, typically during November, when the university marks Veterans Day with a series of special events. Visitors are encouraged to stroll the grounds and read the banners, which honor men and women who served in World War II, the Korean and Vietnam wars, and conflicts in Iraq, Afghanistan and elsewhere around the world.

Since the program was introduced in 2013, the patriotic display has grown to include more than 40 banners. The Office of Veterans Affairs hopes to add a dozen or more this fall. “Because these banners are personalized, they bring American history to life,” says Robert Prah, director of Veterans Affairs at Cal U.

“Not only do they honor individual veterans, they also tell the story of where and when the U.S. military has served. They put a very human face on military service through the decades, both for our students and for visitors to our campus.”

How to Order a Banner
Although service members and veterans may place an order for themselves, most banners are ordered by family members, friends or colleagues, who sometimes ask a business or community organization to help defray the $80 cost.

Those who submit a veteran’s name are recognized on the banner, along with the business or community sponsor, if applicable. Once the annual display is taken down, the sturdy banners are carefully cleaned and stored so they can be reused year after year.

Applications for banners are being accepted now. For an order form, visit www.calu.edu and type “banners” into the search box. For details, contact the Office of Veterans Affairs at veterans@calu.edu or 724-938-4076.