The Heroes Banner Program is a tribute created for our community to recognize those that have served, or are currently serving, in the United States Armed Forces, and to recognize the sacrifice of our community’s first responders fallen in the line of duty. Banners have been purchased through the Town’s banner program by family members and friends of each hero and are proudly displayed on streetlight poles along Main Street. These banners contribute to the Town’s quality of life while also promoting civic pride.
The following is in further recognition of their service and achievements:
IN HONOR OF DAVID TAYLOR MILLER Private First Class David Miller died June 21, 2010, as a result of suicide bomb attack in northern Afghanistan. Born on Veterans Day, November 11, 1990, in Lynchburg, Virginia, he was a Boy Scout, acolyte and server in the Church of Epiphany in Amherst, Virginia, and played on the Amherst High School JV football team until 2007. His enlistment in the Army began July 27, 2009, after which he earned the rank of First Class and became a designated marksman. Private First Class Miller earned the National Defense Service Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, and the Army Service Ribbon. After his death he was awarded the Bronze Star Medal, the Purple Heart Medal, the Army Good Conduct Medal, the Afghanistan Campaign Medal with Bronze Service Star, the Overseas Service Ribbon, the NATO Medal, the Combat Infantry Badge, and the Weapons Qualification Badge and Overseas Service Bar.
PRIVATE FIRST CLASS
U.S. ARMY 2009-2010
(Banner Donated by Steve Martin)
IN HONOR HAROLD O. THOMAS SR. Harold O. Thomas, Sr., served in the United States Marine Corp from 1951-1971. During his service he was twice awarded the National Defense Service Medal with one Star, the Good Conduct Medal with one Silver Star (awarded six times); Combat Action Ribbon Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry with Palm and Frame; Vietnamese Campaign Medal, and Device Vietnamese Service Medal with one Star (two tours). In 1965, while in the United States Marine Corp., he went to Auto and Engineer Equipment School. He was also a Truck Master in the Medical Battalion. Harold Thomas, Sr., achieved the rank of Gunnery Sergeant (E7) and retired with an honorable discharge on July 23, 1971. 
GUNNARY SERGEANT
U.S. ARMY 1951-1971
(Banner donated by Harold O. Thomas, Jr.)
Petty Officer Hollowell is presently deployed and on active duty. William Harold (Bill) Wydner was stationed in Germany while serving in the U.S. Army from 1962-1964. William (Bill) Wydner passed away at the age of 83 on May 9, 1922. A graduate of Amherst County High School in 1957, he assisted his father in running Amherst Milling Company several years prior to his military service. Upon his return he worked for the Virginia Department of Forestry as Chief Forest Warden for Amherst County for 15 years, prior to returning to work at the Amherst Milling Company. A member of the Amherst Volunteer Fire Department for 35 years, he served as fire chief from 1984, until his retirement in 2003. While on active duty from 1942-1945, Randall “Jack” Tavner Marshall was stationed in Europe during World War II and was a Forward Observer in France. During his service, 1st Lt. Marshall received three Purple Hearts, one Bronze Star, and one Silver Star. IN HONOR OF TROOPER LUCAS B. DOWELL Trooper Lucas B. Dowell, at the age of 28, died in the line of duty on February 4, 2019, surrounded by teammates of the Division III Tactical Team. A four year veteran of the Virginia State Police, Trooper Dowell graduated from the 122 Basic Session on November 21, 2014. He was assigned to the Appomattox Division serving the City of Lynchburg, and Amherst and Campbell Counties. After graduating high school, Trooper Dowell earned his bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from Radford University. In 2016, he became a member of the Division III Tactical Team. He was also certified as a general instructor.
IN HONOR OF IAN S. HOLLOWELL
PETTY OFFICER, THIRD CLASS
U.S. NAVY 2019-2025 (Donated by Kelli and Dennis Hollowell)
WILLIAM HAROLD WYDNER
U.S. ARMY 1962-1964
(Banner donated by Hailey Belcher and Pat Wydner)
RANDALL ‘JACK’ TAVNER MARSHALL
1ST Lieutenant Battery A 929th Field Artillery, Field Artillery Battalion
U.S. Army 1942-1945
(Banner donated by Dawn Marshall Thomas)
VIRGINIA STATE POLICE 2014-2019
(Banner donated by Steve Martin)