10/25/2025
Today we installed the last of our banners. We started this endeavor in May of 2023 throughout the Villages of Fort Plain and Nelliston with the cooperation of both Village Boards, and guidance from Julie Rider Erno and members of the Morris J. Edwards American Legion in St. Johnsville, who were in the process of their own very successful Banner Program. Bill Farber at the VFW Post in Fort Plain dedicated immeasurable hours to processing applications, scanning photos, collecting payments, and communicating with the production companies and banner sponsors. Without him stepping up and saying, "Let's do it" when presented with the idea, none of it would have happened. Our installation crew of Kyle Calhoun, Mayor Pat Hanifin and myself treated every trip out with the bucket truck as an absolute labor of love and respect to our Veterans. We'd be remiss if we didn't thank Veterans Steven DeVost and Patrick Mereness, who also volunteered with us to proudly honor their Military brothers and sisters, and George Capece and his DPW crew for guiding us with assistance on the first installation back in 2023. And to Jim and James who owned/own the company and did the graphic design work for the banners; it was a pleasure working with them. Lastly, but most importantly, thank you to all Veterans and their families for willing to sacrifice for all of us. 🇺🇸
-Jeannette
