Volume II of Beyond the Banners is coming November 4, 2024

Get your copy today!

What is Beyond the Banners?

In 2014, the Emporia Main Street organization spearheaded a project to decorate the downtown light posts with banners honoring current or former service members. From the beginning, the project was about much more than banners – it was about collecting, preserving, and sharing the personal stories of those who have bravely served their country.

To celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Veterans Banners Project, we're excited to announce that Emporia Main Street and KVOE Radio have teamed up again to publish a new commemorative book, Beyond the Banners Volume II. The new book continues the storytelling tradition that we began in 2017. Volume II features all new stories collected for the Veterans whose banners were created from 2018 to today. This printed keepsake publication will be a family treasure for generations to come.

Family Keepsake

Beyond the Banners is available as a full-color, 172 page softcover book. It is a beautiful, limited edition keepsake.

Veterans Stories

Over 100 personal stories and 430 images of Veterans were submitted for this project. This publication honors their service, their sacrifices, and their legacy.

Giving Back

Profits from the sale of Beyond the Banners Magazine will be donated to local Veterans Organizations.

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Every banner displayed on Emporia's street poles contains a photo of a Veteran.
This limited edition publication captures their experiences, words, and moving stories.

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"I call upon all of our citizens to observe Thursday, November 11, as Veterans Day. On that day let us solemnly remember the sacrifices of all those who fought so valiantly, on the seas, in the air, and on foreign shores, to preserve our heritage of freedom, and let us reconsecrate ourselves to the task of promoting an enduring peace so that their efforts shall not have been in vain."

–President Dwight D. Eisenhower

"Without Emporia, Kansas, there would be no Veterans Day; it’s as simple as that."

– Bobbi Mlynar, writing about Emporian Al King who had the idea for Veterans Day and worked to make it a reality

"The willingness with which our young people are likely to serve in any war, no matter how justified, shall be directly proportional to how they perceive the Veterans of earlier wars were treated and appreciated by their nation."

- President George Washington

Questions?
Contact Emporia Main Street at 620-340-6430

Beyond the Banners
727 Commercial St
Emporia, Kansas, USA
Founding City of Veterans Day