Have you ever closely looked at the Yellow Ribbon Signs that line the center divide on Veterans Memorial Drive?
Do you know what they are?
Around 12-14 years ago, the local Boulder City American Legion, Post 31, established a campaign to acknowledge locals who were currently serving active duty in any of the US armed forces: Army, Navy, Marines, Air Force or Coast Guard.
Local volunteer Joe Rowe helped spearhead the campaign by creating the regular sale of Red Shirt Fridays, which you’ve probably seen at either the credit union or your local grocery store. The funds raised from those $20 T-shirt sales funds the initial cost of the Yellow Ribbon signs, each running about $46, he says.
Now, many years later there are over 100 signs on Veterans Memorial Drive currently posted of local men and women who are on active duty.
So if you’ve never really taken in the signs on the road when you’ve driven past them, now you have a bit more info on them and more importantly, what they represent!
There two very special exceptions: two locals who gave their lives that are honored at the very first pole, (on Veterans Memorial Drive, just south of Boulder City Parkway). Notably, they are Shane Patton and Matthew Commons.
However, the local volunteers at the Boulder City American Legion could use your help!
Over time, it has become more challenging to keep up-to-date information on those whose names are listed. Active duty members often move, change rank, get married or leave active duty. When the member leaves service, they or their family is to be presented with the sign, again acknowledging their service to our country, and the gratitude from all of us here in Boulder City.
To learn more about the program, or provide information to them about a family member you think has a sign that needs to be updated, you can call the American Legion at (702)293-6374 or email them at bc.post31@gmail.com.
