MOUNT VERNON — Tom Wise wants to fly veterans banners for Memorial Day 2025 and 2026 in honor of 14 Knox County servicemen killed in Vietnam.
However, the downtown merchants group will not allow him to pre-book.
The banners were displayed on South Main Street for Veterans Day in 2023 and Memorial Day in 2024. Wise, a Vietnam veteran himself, arranged for both dates when he booked the banners for 2023.
“Because of my age, and especially Agent Orange, and I have no idea when God’s calling me home, I want these veterans banners displayed in 2025 and 2026 for Memorial Day month,” Wise said.
“I have been refused because Experience Mount Vernon says they will not reserve spots ahead.”
According to Wise, several hundred people have signed a petition supporting his request.
He estimates it will cost $3,000 to fly the veterans banners for 2025 and 2026.
“I have the $3,000. I’m only asking you to have some influence on Experience Mount Vernon to change that policy,” he told council members. “The only reason they have given me is that they want everyone to have the opportunity to be on a banner.”
“I agree with you,” Councilman Mike Miller told Wise.
“Have we ceded all control to Experience Mount Vernon for our city lampposts?” he asked council.
Mayor Matt Starr said the group has run the program since completing the downtown streetscape project in the early 2000s.
“Is there any reason we can’t revisit that as council?” Miller asked, noting it was important to recognize veterans, especially ones who died in combat.
Additionally, he said, “They’re our poles.”
Safety-service Director Tanner Salyers will meet with Wise and work toward a solution.
