CLARKSVILLE, IN (May 21, 2024) – Main Street in Clarksville’s new downtown district is continuing to grow each month with new retail stores, residential complexes, and a growing street grid.  Although the Town of Clarksville is excited about the future, local leaders are also continuing to honor our community’s past.  The latest initiative being new Veteran banners along Main Street.

The “Clarksville Courage” program started last summer and has continued to pick up steam in 2024. Anyone may purchase a banner in honor of a family member or friend who is an honorably discharged U.S. Military veteran, and who lived in Clarksville at some point in his/her life. The banners include the veteran’s name, a military photo, branch of service, and years of service or war served.  The banners are put up in May and stay up through the end of September.  The banners are then returned to the purchaser in October.  The cost is $125 per banner.

Local Realtor Cailen Medcraft is a member of the Clarksville’s Historic Preservation Commission, and the member who oversees the Clarksville Courage program.

“The Clarksville Historic Preservation Commission established Clarksville Courage in 2023 to pay tribute to our community’s Veterans,” said Medcraft.  “We believe that our local Veterans deserve limitless recognition for the courage they displayed while serving. We understand that each banner carries a unique story, and we take great pride in initiating meaningful conversations by bringing awareness and honor to our Veterans. As a granddaughter and niece of local Veterans, I was thrilled to Chair this committee. I am so excited to see it evolve in the years to come!”

The HPC has already started accepting applications for those wishing to purchase a Clarksville Courage banner for May-September 2025.  Applications can be submitted online by clicking here.  Paper submission forms are also available at the Clarksville Clerk/Treasurer’s office at 2000 Broadway Street.

The timing for the posting of the banners couldn’t be better as the Town of Clarksville prepares for its annual Memorial Day Celebration.  Scheduled for Sunday, May 26th at 2:00pm, this year’s theme is the 80th Anniversary of D-Day (Battle of Normandy: June 6th, 1944).  The event will be held at the Veterans Place Memorial behind Clarksville’s Town Municipal Building, located at 2000 Broadway Street.