Each military banner in Brookville honors WWII soldier who made ultimate sacrifice

Will be on display through the end of May

(BROOKVILLE, Ind.) – There are 52 military banners currently on display in Brookville and each one honors a local soldier who made the ultimate sacrifice. 

“The number remembered is 52, a staggering number from a small community,” said Barbara Vonderheide. 

The project was put together with a simple question in mind:

Who were the local servicemen and women who paid the ultimate sacrifice in World War II and did not return from the war? 

“As Americans, we owe these servicemen a promise and commitment that we will always remember their sacrifice, and we will never forget the price,”Vonderheide added. 

Vonderheide serves as chapter regent for the Twin Forks Chapter D.A.R., which is one of several local groups who have made this project possible. 

The banners were also made possible by Brookville Post 77 American Legion, Sons of the American  Legion, American Legion Auxiliary and the Brookville VFW Post 2014.

Each banner bears the name, branch of service, photo, place of death and date of loss. All but two of them are from Franklin County, with one being from Dearborn County and another from New Jersey, however with local ties. 

The ‘Never Forget Banners’ are placed along U.S. 52 and will be on display during the month of May.

This project was in conjunction with the 80th anniversary of Victory In Europe Day (VE) on May 8, 1945. 

Community members are encouraged to visit Brookville this month to view these special banners. 

The annual Memorial Day Parade will start at 9 a.m.at St. Michael's Cemetery and end at Maple Grove Cemetery.