2020 Graduate Seeks to Recognize Area Veterans with Military Banners

Gabrielle Gretch is on a mission to recognize local veterans.

Gretch a 2020 Riverside graduate plans to present a plan of action to install military banners on the streets of Ellwood City at Monday night’s council meeting.

I would love for as many people as possible to come to the meeting to support the idea,” she said. “Especially if you’re interested in buying a banner.”

Gretch, who plans to attend UPMC Shadyside School of Nursing in January, said she was inspired to take on this project during her internship.

“I did my scholarship on Leslie Sabo Jr. for the Historical society and shortly after was driving with my mom in Butler and asked why we didn’t have these in Ellwood,” she said. “I hope this will achieve great things and one day many streets in Ellwood will be filled with these banners of people who reside/resided in the Ellwood Area.”

Should her plan be approved, anyone in the Ellwood City area will be able to order banners for their loved ones—active-duty or a veteran. The banners will hang on the light poles of Lawrence Ave.
from Memorial Day until Veterans Day. The cost of a banner will be $100 and a form found on TroopBanners website underneath the Ellwood City tab. Gretch also plans to make forms available in businesses around town for people who may not have a computer.

“These banners are in our surrounding cities like Beaver Falls, New Castle, and Butler,” she said.

Gretch said she is hoping for council approval at which time will be able to submit their form, a check made out to Ellwood City Military Banners for $100, and a picture of the chosen veteran. The address to send it to is P.O. Box 904 Ellwood City PA, 16117.