Banners of tribute proudly displayed in downtown Mountain View

The roots of community run deep in the small town of Mountain View. Woven within those roots is a strong, proud history of patriotism. Recently, the VFW Auxiliary 3009 worked in conjunction with the city of Mountain View to honor local veterans and active-duty service members.

 

As visitors and community members stroll down First and Elm Streets downtown, numerous veterans and active-duty service members are proudly displayed. The Military Tribute Banner Program is a nationwide initiative designed to honor service members by displaying personalized banners featuring names, photos, and branch of service. The banners serve as a visible and lasting tribute to the sacrifice and service of our nation's heroes. Family members are given the opportunity to purchase a banner which is displayed through Veterans Day.

 

Fundraising efforts were led by the VFW Auxiliary 3009 for the brackets that hold the banners to the poles lining the city streets. The auxiliary would like to thank Mountain View Community Betterment, West Plains Bank & Trust, Simmons Bank, Gather Independent Insurance, Cindy Pirch, Carolyn Howell, and Matthew James for contributing to the brackets.

 

One active-duty service member displayed on the banners is Benjamin Stoops. Stoops was born and raised in Mountain View. He graduated from Liberty High School in 2021 and immediately joined the United States. He traveled to Fort Jackson South Carolina on August of 2021 where he completed his basic training. He is currently ranked E-4/Specialist. His job is a 15T UH-60 Blackhawk Mechanic.

 

Stoops has had an extensive career since enlisting including training events, field events, CENTCOM deployment to the Middle East under Operation Inherent Resolve, worked with the Canadian Army during a JRTC rotation in Louisiana, and has done a Medevac coverage mission in Fort Bliss, TX.

 

During his five years of service, Stoops has been awarded three Army Achievement Medals, the Army Good Conduct Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Army Service Ribbon, and the Certificate of Achievement.

 

When asked about his experiences serving the United States Stoops said, "I was part of a team at JRTC in 2023 that successfully sling loaded a UH-60 Blackhawk - which we were the first unit to successfully do this in 3 to 5 years. I have done 4 D.A.R.T (down aircraft recovery team) missions, three of which have been training, and one of those was a real D.A.R.T. I supported flight companies with Air Assault missions during training exercises."

 

Speaking of his best memories while serving Stoops stated that some of his favorite memories were running convoys during JRTC and traveling to a few different countries while being in the army. "While in the Middle East, we had some of the locals come on base and share there heritage and culture with us and there food. Doing the medevac coverage mission in Texas, serving with many good friends that are like brothers and sisters to me. One of my favorite memories will always be teaching and leading fellow lower enlisted soldiers on multiple different things from field sanitation, aircraft maintenance, medical care, and how to navigate many different army systems.

 

Benjamin Stoops is the son of Jeremy and Crystal Stoops of Mountain View, Mo. His mom Crystal explained that, "As a military parent, it is an honor to have our sons picture displayed and service recognized in the community we live in where he grew up! His accomplishments make us very proud, and we are thankful for his service along with all military past, present, and future. We look forward to seeing his banner, and the others every time we drive through town, and we are thankful for the opportunity to celebrate our son."

 

Stoops grandparents are Curtis and Carla Owens of Montier, Mo., and Petra Stoops of Mtn. View, Mo.; Terry Stoops of Dixon, Mo., who was in the Army; his late great-great grandfather's Henry Cafourek and Elree Rutledge were both in the Navy during WW2 and at Pearl Harbor; great-great grandfather Harold Dean Stoops was in the Army and fought during the Korean War.

 

Tanya Miller, Auxiliary President with the VFW Post 3009 stated, "These banners are more than decorations - they are powerful reminders of our local hometown heroes who have served our country with honor. We are proud to display them in the heart of Mountain View."