The Vieyra Honors Foundation (VHF), in collaboration with Downtown Hutch and United Way for Reno County, are excited to announce the launch of a new Veterans Honor Banner Project that will debut in Downtown Hutch this coming Spring.
“Our grandfather was the backbone of our family and serving in the US military was a very important aspect of his life. I am proud to be a part of the Vieyra Honors Foundation as it was established as a way for us to pay homage to him, as well as honor all the members of our community who have served and for their dedication to our country,” said Gabrielle Garcia, VHF Board Secretary.
With inspiration stemming from communities with similar projects, the Vieyra Honors Foundation established the Veterans Honor Banner project in honor of their grandfather Trunkalino “Trunkie” Vieyra in hopes of bringing something powerful to the community just like he did while serving in the US Army. “We want to honor all who have dedicated their lives for the freedom of others. It is our hope to showcase the inclusion of all veterans throughout the community over the coming years,” said Christine Vargas, VHF Board Vice President.
Each banner will be individualized to honor a specific veteran with his or her name, branch of service, conflict they served in, and a photograph. The banners will be hung on the light poles in Downtown Hutch from Memorial Day through the Fourth of July.
“We are grateful for the opportunity for Downtown Hutch to partner in this project,” said Lacie Janzen, Downtown Hutch Manager. “This project provides a tangible demonstration of our community’s respect and gratitude for what these men and women have done for our nation, and we are honored to highlight their years of service.”
The Vieyra Honors Foundation was formed to support veteran programs in the community and provide resources through fundraising and awareness initiatives. The inaugural event for the foundation will be the Vieyra Honors Foundation Veterans Fun Run on Saturday, November 6 from 10am to 12 noon at Orchard Park in Hutchinson, KS.
“With this inaugural event we are hoping to serve three main purposes,” said Marla Booher, VHF Board President. “We want to bring exposure and awareness to the VHF Foundation and Honor Banner Project, raise funds for the start-up costs to launch the foundation, and fill a void in our community of the lack of fun runs and 5k/10k events to honor the Veterans we have in our community.”
“We must be mindful of how we treat our veterans each day of the year. It is about making sure they and their families have the care they need and the benefits that they have earned when they come home,” said Lisa Gleason, Executive Director of United Way of Reno County. “I am proud to be part of an organization that is committed to learning more about veterans needs in our community and trying to wrap resources around those needs. We are involved in the Veterans Honors Banner project to honor our servicemen and women. If you are a veteran in need of help, please call 211, and let United Way find you the support you need.”
For more information on the Honor Banner Project or to register for the Vierya Honors Foundation Veterans Fun Run visit vieyrahonorsfoundation.org.
For more information contact: Vieyra Honors Foundation, [email protected]
620.960.8215
