Fallen Marines' Mother Heartbroken Over Norwin Rotory's Banner Policy
IRWIN (KDKA) -- Above the roads and streets of Irwin, you see the faces of present-day, active-duty service personnel on banners, recognizing their duty, honor and sacrifice.
At one time, one of the faces was that of Marine Lt. Colonel Christopher Raible.
"His banner was on Pennsylvania Avenue, and I rode by it everyday. Every day, I looked up there, and it was wonderful. It kept his memory alive," said his mother Kim Raible.
But one year after it was first put up, it was gone.
The fallen Marines' mom thought it was an oversight until this year when her son's banner was still not up. She called the Norwin Rotory, the sponsor of the banner program.
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"I was told I couldn't have a banner anymore. That it was only a one-year rule, that I had my one year and they were very sorry," she said.
And she says she wasn't the only Gold Star mother to be told the same.
"I'm in disbelief because I know of three mothers who asked for the banners and were turned down, all KIA," Raible said.
For their part, the Norwin Rotory released a statement saying the banners were for those who are "active duty member(s) of the United States Armed Forces."
The statement went on to say: "We also decided to honor those members of the community who were killed in action and wounded in action by displaying their banner for one year. The banner was then retired and present to the family member or members who nominated the soldier for the program."
Raible's mother says her son qualifies, if for no other reason, than he will always be on active duty.
"My son gave all," Raible said. "All our KIA's gave all and all we can give them is a year. I think its an outrage. I won't stop until this banner is up and this policy has to be changed."
