Sergio Sandoval

Carla Sullivan, community services superintendent, is the creator of the Banner Recognition Program, which shows support for each branch of the military by placing banners around the city of La Verne. Families can show their support by purchasing small banners for $15. Five dollars of each purchase will go toward the program’s account.

Alexandra Lozano
Staff Writer

Five families gathered at the La Verne community center for a military reception Feb. 15. It was a meeting where family members were updated on the Military Banner Program and were able to express feelings with others in the same situation.

The families are relatives of those in the La Verne community who are fighting overseas.

Carla Sullivan, community services superintendent for La Verne, hosted the event. Sullivan’s son Daniel is currently in the Air Force.

The banner program is primarily known for the 85 personalized military banners placed on lamp posts throughout La Verne.

Families of those serving were each presented with a “mini-banner” at a Feb. 6 city council meeting.

“We were never a military family,” said Linda Milliken, mother of an honored soldier.

Milliken’s son, Tyke, decided he wanted to join the armed forces during his junior year in high school.

“It surprised us all, but we are very proud of him and we are grateful for this,” Milliken said.”We have gotten so much support. We hope (our son) comes home the same likable kid.”

Tyke’s grandmother, Michele McClowry, appreciates the banners displayed around La Verne. Sometimes, in remembrance of her grandson, she likes to stop by and talk to his banner.

“The people who live in the house must be sick of us,” McClowry said.

McClowry often looks forward to Tyke’s phone calls at 1 a.m.

Andrea Halberg attended the event to support her son David who recently finished his sixth year as a hospital command.

David Halberg has been deployed with the marines four times and been to Iraq three times.

“I feel like I’m listening to my son when you talk,” Andrea Halberg said to Sgt. Scott Garcia. “The last time we had one of our meetings, I thought it would be my last.”

David Halberg, 25, went into the military directly after high school.
“David understands that his city supports him,” Andrea Halberg said.
Albert and Barbara Garcia were there to support their two sons who are both involved in the military.

Sullivan started the Military Banner Recognition Program after attending a wedding in a church in Azusa where they had a bulletin board of active soldiers. She was enlightened by recognizing people while they were still alive.

“I wanted to get the project going but I had no money,” Sullivan said about the banner program.

“Let’s start with a picture program,” she added. “Let’s start with our military.”

By early June, Sullivan had about 65 pictures that were presented at the Fourth of July fireworks show.

Sullivan says the primary sponsors of the banner program have been businesses.

“The community has been very very supportive,” Sullivan said.

The program provides books, candy and notes to soldiers in Iraq. This Christmas season the program gift wrapped 450 books.

“Those who end their service and come back will be presented with their street banner, tied with a yellow bow,” Sullivan said.

Alexandra Lozano can be reached at himelozano@juno.com.