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Overcast and Breezy Paying tribute to veterans
Sponsor banners saluting G.C.’s heroes
Generations of the nation’s veterans have planted their roots in Glen Cove and helped the city thrive. From building Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 347 after World War I to ceaselessly supporting local organizations, these heroes have continued to serve their home. In recognition, the Glen Cove Public Library and the Veterans Services Department are offering the community an opportunity to sponsor military tribute banners that will be displayed on lampposts across Morgan Park from Memorial Day through Veterans Day.
“We are very proud to honor these brave men and women, and are profoundly thankful for their service,” Mayor Pamela Panzenbeck said. “We are fortunate to have these banners in recognition of their patriotic dedication. Freedom isn’t free. God bless them.”
As soon as Laura and Sharon Stillwagon learned of the library’s program, they decided to honor their father, Howard Stillwagon, who served as an infantry rifleman in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War and is a member of VFW Post 347. He served with his longtime friend Joseph Moores, a Vietnam veteran. Howard was in Cavalry C Company, and Moores in D company.
“It’s important to honor our veterans, but also it’s very important for me to honor my father for his service to the country and to also celebrate him as a person,” Laura Stillwagon said.
Lydia Wen Rodgers, a librarian at Glen Cove Public Library, and Anthony Jimenez, the director of the Veterans Affairs Office, presented the tribute banners at The City Council’s pre-council meeting on Feb. 15. “It will give them the honor that they deserve,” Wen Rodgers said.
When Wen Rodgers started the program earlier this month, she learned quickly that veterans are humble and are hesitant to have their photos on display. The community, she said, must act on their behalf. “They are really relying on friends and families to purchase a banner,” she said, “so that’s why it’s really important to get the word out.”
Howard Stillwagon said he was proud that his daughters decided to sponsor him, and has been encouraging his fellow VFW members to purchase a banner themselves. “I’m very honored, and really very touched that they did this for me,” he said. “They’re such great kids, and I love them so much. They’ve always been very supportive of my military career.”
After they are displayed at the park, the banners will be returned to the sponsors or be kept at the library, and possibly used again next year. Laura Stillwagon is planning to keep their banner and hang it in her father’s home alongside his war memorabilia.
Banners are going fast. As of Feb. 15, 14 of the 40 banners had been purchased. Group pictures, portraits and insignias are also welcome. On each banner, the veteran’s medals, time of service, and branch will be shown below the photo.
Only Glen Cove veterans can be sponsored. If participants do not know a veteran from the city, they can choose to sponsor any Glen Cove veteran or organization from the community. For example, U.S. Rep. Tom Suozzi has purchased a banner in honor of the Harlem Hellfighters.
During the City Hall meeting, Panzenbeck said she planned to sponsor the late Sgt. Ralph W. Young of the U.S. Army Air Corps and Sgt. Maj. Daniel Daly of the Marines.
The deadline for early-bird pricing of $99 is March 1. After that, the banners will be $109 until April 1, the last day of submissions.
“I think that it provides a sense of community and a way to celebrate our local veterans, because they’re heroes,” Laura Stillwagon said. “Not only for what they did for the country, but for what they continue to do for the community — as well as veterans that have recently served the country and are coming out and looking for a group for support.”
For further information, contact the Glen Cove Public Library at (516) 676-2130, or visit, and purchase a banner at, https://militarytributebanners.org/new-york/glen-cove-ny.html. Checks can be made payable to the library.
