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Banners to mark launch of 'American Heroes Tribute'

21 Apr 2005 | Mr. Brian LaMay Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton

MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. -- Cpl. Dale A. Burger Jr. was so determined to properly mourn his buddy last fall, he hitched a ride with a military convoy along dusty Iraqi roads to attend Lance Cpl. Michael J. Allred's memorial service.

Now, the two of them will be immortalized on local roadways and across country - along with every other servicemember killed fighting the war on terrorism - as part of an ambitious campaign to erect more than 1,500 tribute banners across the country.

The campaign, dubbed the American Heroes Tribute Banner Program and conceived by an Orange County sign maker, will be launched Sunday in San Clemente with the unveiling of 24 banners, said Robert Pfeiler, a Costa Mesa entrepreneur and author who presides over the tribute.

The banners can be previewed today through Saturday at San Clemente's North Beach parking lot on El Camino Real, according to a press release announcing the campaign. Sunday's program launch kicks off at 1 p.m.

"We'll have families of the fallen there. Most of them (represent Marines) from Camp Pendleton, but also from elsewhere around the country," said Pfeiler, who ran with the idea to erect a succession of tribute banners in neighboring towns along the coast after the sign maker, Grant Bjorn, showed him a prototype.

Pfeiler, emphasizing the program constitutes a "celebration" of lives - not a memorial - urged the public to turn out with kites, balloons, picnic lunches and cheery attitudes.

He also asked them to bring any "big ideas" to help promote and fund the campaign.

The banners will be tethered to lightposts in San Clemente along El Camino Real, he said. They're personalized - each with a servicemember's name, rank and branch of service, along with where and when they were killed. The flip side will include an image of the American flag and the program's logo, according to a program press release.

Buoyed by strong support from other Orange County cities, Pfeiler hopes to display the banners along roads across the county.

Even before disseminating any publicity material, Pfelier began fielding calls from city officials all over the county, including Mission Viejo and Costa Mesa, he said.

"We haven't even been out there yet. We're just getting started," he said.

"We're a startup learning as we go. There's so many logistics involved. But I've never been involved with anything that's had such a positive response. Everybody wants to honor the troops."

Those proponents include family members of the fallen. "The message I hear from a multitude of parents is, "We just don't want our guys to be forgotten,'" he said.

Katherine McConkie, Allr- ed's aunt, echoed the sentiment.

"It helps (families) to have people remember and honor those who died. We want to support that," she said Monday via telephone from Smithfield, Utah, near Hyde Park, Allred's hometown. "Hopefully, they'll be successful in honoring all who died."

Her nephew, a member of Company F, 2nd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, died Sept. 6, 2004, in Al Anbar Province, Iraq. He was 22 - and a member of Pale Rider 3, a platoon that lost seven members, including Allred, in the same combat incident, she said.

Burger, formerly of 2/1, was in Iraq with Company I, 3rd Bn., 1st Marine Regiment when he died. He and Allred were close - and he finagled a ride across the province to attend a memorial service for Allred, she said.

"We have a picture of Dale with others from India Company at the service," McConkie said. "He has such a sad face, it just breaks your heart."

Slightly more than two months later, Burger also was killed in the province.

"We just figure Michael was up there (in heaven) waiting for Dale," she said.

Burger, from Maryland, is survived by seven sisters. His father, a Vietnam veteran, is buried in Arlington National Cemetery. His son's body will join him there, McConkie said.

Banners dedicated to Burger and Allred will be among those that grace the San Clemente display, Pfeiler said.

Survivors, including McConkie and Marines from Pale Rider 3 met in Washington, D.C., in March. She said they've all contributed photos to the American Heroes Tribute. She called the tribute "a fabulous effort."

"There are those who gave some, and some who gave all," noted McConkie, adding that she and Allred's parents can't attend Sunday's unveiling.

Pfeiler said he became obsessed with the project as soon as Bjorn showed him the prototype banner. He back-burnered all other pursuits, including a book he was writing, he said.

"Everything stopped," he said. "I just had to do this. Within 20 days, we were forming a nonprofit."

Pfeiler encouraged people from all walks of life and political persuasions to come out Sunday and honor the fallen troops. "It's an important chance to come together as American people," he said.

Pfeiler said he and Bjorn chose to launch the campaign in San Clemente partly because it borders a base that has lost hundreds of Marines in Iraq, and because the city has demonstrated yeoman support for the troops.

San Clemente Mayor Jose Anderson said the city is happy to oblige.

"I'm proud that the San Clemente community ... was selected as the first stop of many for such an admirable program that serves as a magnificent tribute to so many honorable men and women," he said via the release.

Banners to mark launch of 'American Heroes Tribute'

21 Apr 2005 | Mr. Brian LaMay Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton

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MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. -- Cpl. Dale A. Burger Jr. was so determined to properly mourn his buddy last fall, he hitched a ride with a military convoy along dusty Iraqi roads to attend Lance Cpl. Michael J. Allred's memorial service.

Now, the two of them will be immortalized on local roadways and across country - along with every other servicemember killed fighting the war on terrorism - as part of an ambitious campaign to erect more than 1,500 tribute banners across the country.

The campaign, dubbed the American Heroes Tribute Banner Program and conceived by an Orange County sign maker, will be launched Sunday in San Clemente with the unveiling of 24 banners, said Robert Pfeiler, a Costa Mesa entrepreneur and author who presides over the tribute.

The banners can be previewed today through Saturday at San Clemente's North Beach parking lot on El Camino Real, according to a press release announcing the campaign. Sunday's program launch kicks off at 1 p.m.

"We'll have families of the fallen there. Most of them (represent Marines) from Camp Pendleton, but also from elsewhere around the country," said Pfeiler, who ran with the idea to erect a succession of tribute banners in neighboring towns along the coast after the sign maker, Grant Bjorn, showed him a prototype.

Pfeiler, emphasizing the program constitutes a "celebration" of lives - not a memorial - urged the public to turn out with kites, balloons, picnic lunches and cheery attitudes.

He also asked them to bring any "big ideas" to help promote and fund the campaign.

The banners will be tethered to lightposts in San Clemente along El Camino Real, he said. They're personalized - each with a servicemember's name, rank and branch of service, along with where and when they were killed. The flip side will include an image of the American flag and the program's logo, according to a program press release.

Buoyed by strong support from other Orange County cities, Pfeiler hopes to display the banners along roads across the county.

Even before disseminating any publicity material, Pfelier began fielding calls from city officials all over the county, including Mission Viejo and Costa Mesa, he said.

"We haven't even been out there yet. We're just getting started," he said.

"We're a startup learning as we go. There's so many logistics involved. But I've never been involved with anything that's had such a positive response. Everybody wants to honor the troops."

Those proponents include family members of the fallen. "The message I hear from a multitude of parents is, "We just don't want our guys to be forgotten,'" he said.

Katherine McConkie, Allr- ed's aunt, echoed the sentiment.

"It helps (families) to have people remember and honor those who died. We want to support that," she said Monday via telephone from Smithfield, Utah, near Hyde Park, Allred's hometown. "Hopefully, they'll be successful in honoring all who died."

Her nephew, a member of Company F, 2nd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, died Sept. 6, 2004, in Al Anbar Province, Iraq. He was 22 - and a member of Pale Rider 3, a platoon that lost seven members, including Allred, in the same combat incident, she said.

Burger, formerly of 2/1, was in Iraq with Company I, 3rd Bn., 1st Marine Regiment when he died. He and Allred were close - and he finagled a ride across the province to attend a memorial service for Allred, she said.

"We have a picture of Dale with others from India Company at the service," McConkie said. "He has such a sad face, it just breaks your heart."

Slightly more than two months later, Burger also was killed in the province.

"We just figure Michael was up there (in heaven) waiting for Dale," she said.

Burger, from Maryland, is survived by seven sisters. His father, a Vietnam veteran, is buried in Arlington National Cemetery. His son's body will join him there, McConkie said.

Banners dedicated to Burger and Allred will be among those that grace the San Clemente display, Pfeiler said.

Survivors, including McConkie and Marines from Pale Rider 3 met in Washington, D.C., in March. She said they've all contributed photos to the American Heroes Tribute. She called the tribute "a fabulous effort."

"There are those who gave some, and some who gave all," noted McConkie, adding that she and Allred's parents can't attend Sunday's unveiling.

Pfeiler said he became obsessed with the project as soon as Bjorn showed him the prototype banner. He back-burnered all other pursuits, including a book he was writing, he said.

"Everything stopped," he said. "I just had to do this. Within 20 days, we were forming a nonprofit."

Pfeiler encouraged people from all walks of life and political persuasions to come out Sunday and honor the fallen troops. "It's an important chance to come together as American people," he said.

Pfeiler said he and Bjorn chose to launch the campaign in San Clemente partly because it borders a base that has lost hundreds of Marines in Iraq, and because the city has demonstrated yeoman support for the troops.

San Clemente Mayor Jose Anderson said the city is happy to oblige.

"I'm proud that the San Clemente community ... was selected as the first stop of many for such an admirable program that serves as a magnificent tribute to so many honorable men and women," he said via the release.