American Legion Post 720 in Knox is looking for the names of military veterans from the Keystone School District area – names the post can display for the public to see.
“A number of towns around us have gone with a Main Street banner program to honor their hometown veterans,” post member Bill Black said. “We thought about doing that here, but we have some banners honoring Ross McGinnis, and we weren’t sure we wanted to detract from those.”
McGinnis was awarded the nation’s highest military honor – the Medal of Honor – after he died saving the lives of his fellow soldiers during a grenade attack in Iraq.
“We agreed we have that big electronic marquee out along (Route 208); it’s already here and it wouldn’t cost us anything to run the names and service information for everyone to see as they drive by,” Black said.
The effort was launched in January. So far, about 15 names have been entered into the electronic display, but Black said the post membership hopes more people will submit names of military veterans from the Knox area to be included.
“We have more to enter, and we get about one more every day,” Black said, “but we’d really like to have more.”
Because American Legion Post 720 serves the Knox area, the electronic honor is limited. To be considered for display, veterans must meet certain criteria set forth by the legion.
The veteran must either be a graduate of Keystone School District, currently live in Keystone School District, must have been raised within the district or be a member of American Legion Post 720, past or present.
All applications submitted will be reviewed by legion officers. Once approved, the veteran’s information will be displayed on the marquee in the order the applications were approved by birth month. Each veteran’s information will be on display, honoring their service and sacrifices.
Anyone interested in receiving and submitting a nomination form to honor a veteran who meets eligibility requirements should call Black at (814) 797-5352.
The application will be mailed. Applications also can be picked up at Knox American Legion, 70 Veterans Road.