The first two banners bearing the names and branches of service of service people from the local Oakdale area 95361 zip code have been placed on the light poles in the SaveMart Shopping Center at the corner of East F Street and Maag Avenue in Oakdale. Members of the Oakdale Lions Club and the parents of Sean Gage and Clay Kassahn were on hand as the banners were installed.

Craig Johnson and Don Knickerbocker of the Oakdale Lions Club have been working on this project for a few months.

“The Lions Club wants to honor the men and women that are serving our country so unselfishly and this seems like a good way to show it,” said Johnson.

Service members who lived in the 95361 zip code at the time of enlistment are eligible to have their name and branch of service placed on a banner and hung in the SaveMart, Raley’s and later in the Kmart shopping centers on the east end of Oakdale. The cost of the banner is $175 and the Lions Club is asking for donations toward the cost. If the family is unable to make a donation for the service member’s banner, the Lions Club will cover the cost. The banners will remain in place until the service member comes home. When the service member returns, the banner will be taken down and presented to the service member by the Lions at a dinner meeting.

The Lions Club offered its thanks to the shopping center management for their support of this program.

Applications for names to go on the banners can be obtained by calling 209-845-9972.