| BVL Campaign “Heroes in Our Midst” Honors Those Who Have Served
Bowling associations and bowling centers around the nation are joining in the Bowlers to Veterans Link (BVL) effort to salute their community members who have served our country. “Heroes in Our Midst” is a public show of support for the millions of Americans who have worn the uniform of the United States of America.
Bowling centers and league bowling officials are creating community bulletin boards and displays at the centers which feature names, photos and tributes to local area citizens who are military veterans, reservists, or on active duty.
“At BVL, we believe that it’s always time to thank our servicemen and women for their service to our country,” notes BVL Board Chair Darlene Baker. “We owe them a debt of gratitude that can not nor should not be compressed into one or two days a year. This campaign highlights for all of us the enormous sacrifices which have been made, and are being made every day, on our behalf.”
When bowling center proprietor John Sommer, Don Carter Lanes, Rockford, Ill., launched the BVL “Heroes in Our Midst” campaign, his customers and the community responded with enthusiasm. “We love it, and they love it,” reports Sommer. “They won’t ever let me take it down!”
The campaign grew out of programs initiated by the Fort Collins, Colo., United States Bowling Congress league bowlers and a bowling center in Brooklyn, N.Y.
John LaSpina, owner of Brooklyn’s Maple Lanes, explained the concept evolved from an idea he had to highlight the service of several of his customers who were in the military. “When we began to put together the bulletin board, we realized we had so many other people who wanted to share their stories, mementos and photos from their time in the service. The program kept growing.”
The BVL built upon that concept and created a comprehensive grass-roots campaign which goes beyond the bowling center to the community at large. “Each of us knows someone who has served our country,” notes Baker. “Whether it is the counter person at the lanes, the local high school teacher or the manager at the grocery store, we want to be sure to reach out and say ‘thank you’ – that’s what this campaign, and BVL, is all about.”
Find out more information on the program and how to participate.
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Bowlers Salute America's Troops - Portable Lane Campaign
