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HONORING WAR VETERANS
Ripon rolling out banners celebrating heroes
Ripon Heroes DSC_4732.jpg
Past Commander of the Ripon Clinton McCausland American Legion Post 190, Ernie Tyhurst, displays one of 20 banners honoring service men that will be hung from utility poles along Fulton Avenue prior to the Almond Festival. Tyhurst is holding one honoring the late Navy veteran Red Nutt. In the background is Army Sergeant Clinton McCausland who was killed in 1918 in World War I.

Ripon’s military heroes from past wars are being honored with six-foot-long photo banners that will be attached to utility poles along Fulton Avenue from North Wilma Avenue to River Road.

The project is being tackled by American Legion Clinton McCausland Post 190 that is celebrating 90 years.  

The Salute to Our Heroes Street Banner Project is under the direction of First Vice Commander Ed Ormonde. The $250 Banners are being paid by individual sponsors or family members who will be given the flags after they are taken down after being up for a year. Quality Signs had the low bid for the project that included installing them on the street poles with their bucket truck.

The Ripon Legion post has 91 members and another 24 in the women’s auxiliary along with 12 in the Sons of the American Legion. 

 Jim West who served both in the U.S. Air Force and the U.S. Army National Guard along with his son J.J., an Army veteran, will have their banners hanging from the same pole.

Others being honored are Denise Alvarez, Paul Mangelos, Adrian Fondse, Gary Dias and Red Nutt all having served in the U.S. Navy.  Lewis Eisenga was in the U.S. Army and awarded two purple hearts. Marine combatant George Coutrakis was killed in Vietnam, Billy Woods, was in the U.S. Army in World War II as were Charles Fisher and Pat Dunn.   

There are hundreds of veterans and active service members in various branches of the military who reside in Ripon.  The program qualifications include active duty, retired or honorably discharged members of the United States Armed Forces who reside or are residents in Ripon and who are now deceased were also eligible for the banner program.  Available space on the poles is determined on a first-come, first served basis among the qualified applicants.

Tyhurst said his post, the city of Ripon and its residents have a long-standing high regard for those who serve or have served in the military.  

Tyhurst also noted that the street signs near Park View Elementary School all carry the names of World War II veterans killed in action. Purple heart stickers can also be seen affixed to those street signs.  

The Legion has spent some $50,000 in past years erecting an honor wall for all who have served from Ripon.  It is located near the Veterans Museum at the corner of First and Locust streets in the downtown.  

Beginning soon the post will be hosting a poker and pool night in their hall on Stockton Avenue just south of the Ripon Fire Station every Monday from 7 to 10 p.m. for their membership. 


To contact Glenn Kahl, email gkahl@mantecabulletin.com.