‘Honour Them Well’ banner program marks 10th anniversary - and global interest

Roger Varley

Tish MacDonald, head of the Uxbridge Honour our Veterans Banner Program, appeared before council recently to make a plea for some financial support.

MacDonald noted the program is celebrating its 10th anniversary and has been so successful that no new banners will be added this year. She said the program has 272 banners flying and is "at capacity" for a while until such time as new banner arms can be added in the future. She said the banner program now reaches into every hamlet in the township.

MacDonald said that after the program began, she received so many requests from other municipalities for advice on how to run similar programs that she produced a booklet to guide them. She told council that the booklet has been used by communities across North America to start their own banner programs and she recently learned a community in Australia has also joined in.

She said the banner program has had a large impact on the township, particularly among school children, who make crafts and write letters to veterans. She said biographies of local veterans are being increased on the program's website.

To mark the 10th anniversary, an open house will be held at the Uxbridge Legion on Oct. 19, from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.

Finally, she said costs of running the program are increasing and requested a $1,000 grant from the township to help with the expenses. Mayor Dave Barton immediately moved that such a onation be made and council approved unanimously.