July/2008
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Jerry Hardesty
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The Silver Star Families of America has the goal of having 5,000 cities across the nation declare May 1 as Silver Star Banner Day. With this in mind, Steve Newton, of Clever, founder of the organization, sent information to cities in all 50 states. The first to respond was Buffalo Mayor Jerry Hardesty, who has proclaimed May 1 to be permanently Silver Star Banner Day.
The organization was founded to honor those in the military, past or present, who have been wounded or ill while defending their country. It sent Hardesty a Silver Star banner, which will hang under the American flag in front of his house.
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The mayor told the Buffalo Reflex that Newton told him that he was going to be contacted by the Armed Services Network for being the first to declare the proclamation. He said that any person who has served or is currently serving in the military can receive a free banner by contacting the organization at
www.silverstarfamilies.org.
Recognition of veterans is a touchy subject with Hardesty, a Vietnam veteran who emphasized that Vietnam vets were not honored or appreciated when they returned from war.
"I was on crutches at the airport after being wounded," Hardesty said. "A guy spit on me and called me a baby killer. This is the first time I have been able to recognize veterans in our town and in our country."
Hardesty stressed that he is a member of the "silent majority," and is proud of what he and other veterans have done for their country.
The proclamation declares that the city of Buffalo has always honored the sacrifice of the men and women in the armed forces, and The Silver Star Families of America was formed to make sure people remember the blood sacrifice of the wounded and ill by designing and manufacturing a Silver Star banner and flag.
"I hereby declare May 1 Silver Star Banner Day the permanent and official day to honor the wounded and ill soldiers of the city of Buffalo," the proclamation states.
ŠOzarks Newsstand 2008
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