On Saturday, Nov. 15, VFW No. 3622 and American Legion Post 55 teamed up to install a new joint sign on Main Street. An aim of the electric sign is to increase awareness of both groups. 

The top third of the billboard features both organizations’ logos, while the lower two-thirds will display electronic announcements. JoAnn Danner, a member of both the VFW and American Legion who helped plan the project, said the goal is to increase visibility and keep veterans informed. 

“The primary goal of this is to be more visible to our community,” Danner said. “We’re doing lots of things to support veterans, but unless you happen to be there, you’re not even aware of it.”   

The new sign replaces a previous VFW sign that members felt had become easy to overlook due to its smaller size. 

“The sign we have replaced, after a while, nobody saw it,” Danner said.   

She noted the importance of outreach and connection in a community with veterans, especially as more than 17 veterans die by suicide each day in the United States. 

“It’s much easier for someone to do themselves harm if they are hiding away and no one knows where they are,” Danner said. “We’re hoping this way we’ll be able to reach out and touch people and stay in touch with them.” 

According to Danner, five companies submitted bids for the project, which ultimately went to a veteran-owned business based in Texas. The sign cost about $27,000. 

Misty Mountain Pizza is donating electricity for the sign. 

Nothing is finalized but using the sign to inform about future events for both groups and for advertising have both been discussed. 

The installation required five people, including one in an excavator, to place the sign. Power had not yet been connected on Tuesday, but one worker said it should be completed within the next week. 

The VFW and American Legion are also collaborating to host a watch party for the Army–Navy football game Dec. 13 at noon. 

    The sign was put up on Nov. 15 in the early morning.