As a veteran, Don Walker understands the value of honor and community. In 2018, he visited a small Midwest town and saw banners displayed with the names and photos of local veterans. The idea stayed with him, and he wanted to bring it home to Liberty Lake, Washington.
Don started by researching how the program worked. He contacted organizers in that town and learned which company produced the banners and hardware. From there, he began reaching out locally. He first contacted the City of Liberty Lake but quickly learned Avista would need to approve use of its utility poles.
When Avista responded, Don was moved. “They said not only would they approve the project, but they’d help with setup and removal, too. I was touched by that. It removed so many barriers. I needed a partner,” he said.
Next, Don reached out to Liberty Lake Centennial Rotary Club. He knew the group had supported other efforts to honor veterans. The Rotary agreed to take part and offered to fund the startup costs if Don would serve as chairman.
He hoped to launch the project before a traveling Vietnam Veterans memorial wall visited the area later that summer. The first year brought challenges, including a tight timeline and the need to organize volunteers. The team reviewed applications, verified records, ordered banners, and planned installation. That first year, 25 banners were installed. Today, there are 62. They honor both fallen service members and veterans who are still living, and some active service members.
Each banner represents someone with a connection to Liberty Lake, either as a resident or through family. The list spans generations and includes decorated service members. Some families are represented more than once, including Don and his brother Richard, and brothers Elmer and Mannie Scheidmiller, early developers in the area. “It’s an eclectic bunch,” Don said.
That group is now displayed along Country Vista Drive and Liberty Lake Road—chosen for visibility while keeping the display centered. “We wanted to keep it centralized. Sixty-two banners in a small community like Liberty Lake is plenty. If you tried to do this in a big city, it would get lost,” Don said.
The effort depends on strong community teamwork. The Rotary, the City of Liberty Lake and Avista all play key roles. Volunteers handle applications and verification, while partners help with permits, equipment, scheduling and traffic control.
Xena Masters, office manager for Perfection Traffic Control, works closely with the install teams to keep the process safe. “This effort shines a light on the dedication and sacrifice of American service members. We’re honored to be part of it,” she said.
Sam Helms, an operations manager at Avista, shared a similar view. “This gives us a chance to recognize our local veterans for their service. It’s an honor to support this program.”
Each year, Don is there as the banners are installed. “Whatever we’ve needed, Avista has been there. They treat everything with respect. It’s very meaningful,” he said. The crew installs all the banners in just a few hours.
Installations take place before Memorial Day, and every few years the community holds a ceremony. “We get to see the families, honor each veteran, and give them a framed photo of their banner. That’s my favorite part,” Don said.
The display has become a meaningful part of the community. Residents and visitors look forward to it each year. Liberty Lake Communications Manager David Goehner said, “The display reflects the values of this community, respect for neighbors and family and the role history plays in our lives today.”
Don summed it up simply: “We’re proud of it. The community is proud of it.”
Applications for the Hometown Heroes display are available at Liberty Lake City Hall, 22710 E. Country Vista Drive and on their website. Visit libertylakehometownheroes.com for more information.
This is just one example of small communities powered by big hearts.
Liberty Lake is in Avista’s Washington service territory and is home to about 7,300 Avista customers.