When SAL adviser Paul Sherbino came to the membership meeting with the banner idea, it was not met with large support. In fact, the membership had many questions regarding it and all kinds of reservations about the post being responsible for it. Paul came back to the next meeting with answers to the questions raised by membership, and they responded by asking more and raising more issues. Things like cost, appearance, how they mount, who will put them up and how many we had to buy at a time were hard for Paul to answer. His response to the questions he couldn’t answer was to bring the banner salesman to the next meeting.
The post agreed to help Paul with the project, but research by the adjutant after the previous meetings had revealed issues that had to be dealt with. Research of other banners in other communities revealed a number of concerns. Who goes on the banner? Who makes sure the person being honored deserves it or is still held in good standing in the community?
The post decided to use its post name on the top of the banner. This allowed veterans who had served the post or The American Legion in distinguished ways to have American Legion distinctions on their banner. Past post commanders adorn the streets of the villages. Past Department Commander Paul Cortright was featured on his banner with his department commander’s hat and notation of that service. Several families learned or shared amazing stories of their hero’s service to country in and out of uniform from the banner research. The plan was to keep the cost as close to the post as possible to allow sponsoring families the ability to honor their hero. The post sold 70 banners and learned a lot about our shared history of veterans who served and later lived in the community. One banner purchased by Father Comstock from St. Cyril’s church honored the post’s second commander, Monseigneur Fogarty, who also had the distinction of building the church in the village as well as being a founding member. Other banners honored Bronze and Silver Star winners, SEAL team members, and post members who served in battles on sea, air and land. Many with front-row seats in history like the Cuban Missile Crisis or watching Enola Gay take off from Tinian Island during World War II. The banners proudly memorialize the 105 years of post service to the community and the veterans who defended it. John B. Lyman Post 904's brand in the community has never been stronger.