- by the Wenatchee Valley Senior Activity Center
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Thanks to a sponsorship by his friends Gordon and Jan Dale, Robert (Bob) Aldridge has been honored with a Heroes Banner through a program organized by the Wenatchee Veterans Hall and the Wenatchee Downtown Association. The Dales and Aldridge are also members of the Wenatchee Valley Senior Activity Center.

The Heroes Banners project honors veterans and active service members by recognizing their service on a commemorative banner. The banners are displayed on light poles in downtown Wenatchee and East Wenatchee for the entire month of November. They are also displayed throughout the community at special events. At the conclusion of their display, the banners are given to the sponsor.

Jan sponsored a banner for Gordon, her husband, during a previous year. To pay it forward, the Dales decided to honor Aldridge with a banner this year. They surprised Aldridge with an unveiling at the Wenatchee Veterans Hall earlier in March.

Aldridge served his country during the 1950s. At the age of 19, he joined the U.S. Army. He served his country for 6 years and received an honorable discharge.

During his service, he was stationed in Germany and acted as an aircraft mechanic in the 593rd Field Artillery Battalion, stationed at Babenhausen Kaserne. (Bob refers to this location as "Bootygun.") While there, he received the Army of Occupation Medal and the Good Conduct Medal.

After three years in Germany, Aldridge returned to the United States to complete his final three years of service.

​For more information on the Heroes Banner program, contact the Wenatchee Downtown Association at (509) 662-0059 or visit downtownwenatchee.org/heroes-banners.