A banner celebrating a Vietnam War veteran hangs along Madison Avenue in downtown Greenwood. The Mary Bryan Chapter of the National Society of Daughters of the American Revolution is accepting orders for the next round of banners, which will go up on Memorial Day.
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The banners flutter in the breeze along Greenwood’s Madison Avenue — each a testament to freedom earned through service.
Recognizing veterans and those currently serving in the military, the banners cover all branches of the military. Veterans of the Civil War, World War II, Vietnam War, the Gulf War and the War on Terror are included, as are those who served in peacetime.
Consider it a way to say, “thank you.”
The Mary Bryan Chapter of the National Society of Daughters of the American Revolution are again accepting orders for banners to honor area veterans and current military personnel. After introducing the banners in Greenwood last year, organizers will again be hanging the double-sided banners along Madison Avenue.
Markers will go up starting on Memorial Day as an extension of the organization’s patriotic ideals.
“The DAR is very active in patriotism, just by our very being,” said Cheryl Mead, registrar for the Mary Bryan chapter. “To honor current military and veterans, we thought, what can we do? We say we honor them once a year, twice a year, but the banner program honors them all year.”
The banner program is spearheaded by individual chapters of the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution. In Indiana, participating towns include Brownsburg, Danville, North Salem, Pittsboro, Plainfield and Mooresville.
For the Mary Bryan chapter, which serves northern Johnson County and the southside of Indianapolis, the program fit into its existing activities.
The National Society of Daughters of the American Revolution is a nonprofit, non-political volunteer women’s service organization. Locally, the Mary Bryan Chapter of the DAR was founded in Greenwood in 1979. DAR hosts monthly meetings, takes part in state and national activities and does volunteer work throughout the Johnson County community.
“The national motto is ‘God, home and country,’ and the mission of DAR is to support preservation, education and patriotism,” Mead said.
The first banners went up on Memorial Day of 2023. Each one is double-sided and made of mesh, to better withstand the weather throughout the year.
A photograph of the individual being honored is displayed on both sides, along with their name, branch of military and where they served. If the individual died in the line of duty, a gold star is placed on the banner.
To be eligible, a person must have served, be honorably discharged or currently be serving in the military. The program honors all, whether they served in a time of conflict or a time of peace.
After Memorial Day 2025, when the displays are removed, they will be given to the participants or their families.
“To honor somebody, in general, is a worthwhile thing to do,” Mead said.
The banner price is $110, and orders are taken on a first come, first serve basis, with an approved photo in uniform (5-by-7 minimum, 8-by-10 preferred) and payment. For more information and to receive your order form, please contact Laura Manning at 317-781-0807. The deadline for completed applications with photo and payment is April 15.
