America’s veterans are the heart and soul of our great country. Their willingness to put their lives on the line to secure our freedoms is nothing short of heroic. While it can sometimes be difficult to know how to show appreciation, one woman made it her personal mission to preserve the legacy of the veterans in her community. 

After losing her husband, Marine Corps veteran Kit Warren, Shawn Roser-Warren founded the Kit Warren Community Fund. This incredible organization helps support veterans by placing memorials, grave markers, and hanging Hometown Heroes banners. Her story is a powerful reminder that anyone can honor veterans and make a difference. Keep reading or watch the Freedom & Glory podcast to learn how Shawn turned her grief into action and how you can honor local veterans in your community. 

Shawn’s Story: Turning Loss into Legacy 

In many ways, Shawn’s story is like many others. She married her best friend Kit, a Marine Corps veteran, and the two spent their lives working on their passions. 

For Shawn, that passion was volunteering for non-profits. For over 40 years, she dedicated her life to helping others, either through her church, the SPCA, the VFW, and eventually, with Kit at the American Legion. It was during her time working with Kit and other vets that she discovered how deep the bond of service truly ran. 

“Kit was the first vice commander of the American Legion and the finance officer...and I just wanted to join him and support him and serve the organization. I think it was fun that we actually got to spend even more time together, and we just really had a good time when we were working in that."

Both Shawn and Kit worked on fundraisers for members of the Armed Forces, military families, and their loved ones. During that time, she began to grow a love for veterans and appreciate the special connection they shared. Unfortunately, during this time, her husband Kit was killed in a hit-and-run.  

After his passing, Shawn stayed with the American Legion for a while but eventually decided to start her own non-profit, the Kit Warren Community Fund, so the projects she was working on with him would continue being done through his legacy.  

Shawn’s Work in Honoring Veterans 

Shawn’s work in veteran organizations has made a lasting impact on military members and their families. Throughout her volunteer work, she’s helped place grave markers for fallen service members at no cost to the family members. She’s also hung over 70 banners for service members and renovated a local American Legion.  

One Memorial Day, as she and Kit were placing American flags on veterans’ graves, they noticed how worn down a local veterans' memorial had become. She knew she wanted to fix it but didn’t know if she could make it happen. With the encouragement of her friend, Shawn was able to get approval and start a two-year-long renovation project. 

Shawn explains, “Kit, as always, would look at me and say, and how do you think you're going to pay for this, Shawn, because your projects are always so huge, and always cost a lot of money, and I said, I'll figure that part out."  

The following spring, she approached the association, and they granted her permission to renovate the Veterans Memorial. 

How You Can Honor Veterans 

Just like Shawn, you can honor veterans and show them the respect and kindness they deserve. Here are a few ways you can get involved. 

Create Hometown Heroes banners 

Hometown Hero Banners are street pole banners featuring the name and image of a local veteran, helping to bring visibility to their service and sacrifice. These banners, while not permanent, last for years and serve as a powerful tribute to those who served. Shawn worked with her local government and power company to get approval for her banners — if you want to start a similar program, reach out to local officials to see how you can make it happen. 

Place grave markers 

You can honor war veterans by placing grave markers as memorials. They’re a heartwarming addition to graves of World War I and World War II veterans, Vietnam veterans, and all U.S. military members. 

Restore a veteran’s memorial 

If you have the resources, you can restore a worn-down veteran’s memorial. However, you can make a huge difference simply by cleaning one up, removing trash, pruning trees and bushes, and ensuring it’s safe for any veteran to enjoy. 

Display an American flag 

One of the easiest ways to honor a veteran is by showing your patriotism with an American flag. Flying our national flag proudly on Veteran’s Day, Memorial Day, Armistice Day, or throughout the year keeps their brave legacies alive. 

Practical Advice for Honoring Veterans 

Honoring veterans is a meaningful way to show gratitude and respect, and it may be easier than you think. Many projects—whether renovating a monument, hanging banners, or placing grave markers—simply require reaching out to the right people. Local governments, cemeteries, and utility companies are often willing to help when asked. The key is to take that first step and put yourself out there. 

As Shawn puts it, "At the end of the day, this is not just about honoring veterans — it’s about leaving a legacy in our community. I want people to look back years from now... and see a community that respects and remembers those who served." 

Carrot-Top is Here to Help 

Carrot-Top is proud to carry the highest-quality products that make it easy for customers around the country to honor their local heroes and show their respect. Our custom street pole banners allow you to create your own Hometown Hero banner. We also offer a wide selection of cemetery flags and grave markers that create a meaningful memorial near a veteran's resting place.  

Check out our Support Our Troops flags and proudly stand with those who serve. Our American flag display case lets you safely honor your loved one’s legacy and show your appreciation for their sacrifice. Contact our helpful Flag Pro team for help finding the perfect products to celebrate our American heroes!