Fayetteville, NC Demonstrates Innovative Ways to Support Our Troops with Newly Designated Military Parking Signs 

Community Organizations Unite for Countywide Initiative

Fayetteville, NC – March 25, 2013 – The Fayetteville Area Convention and Visitors Bureau (FACVB) and the Army’s Army are leading the way for communities across the nation with a new initiative to support its military citizenry. A series of designated parking signs intended to reserve space for active duty military, retired veterans, disabled veterans, and military spouses are now available to businesses throughout Cumberland County.

After the February installment of a county-sponsored parking sign for veterans only at the Fayetteville Area Convention and Visitors Bureau building, the Bureau decided to ‘pay it forward’.  Working with Cross Creek Mall and the Army’s Army, the FACVB sponsored the design and installation of a similar sign that reads, “Reserved Parking for America’s Disabled Veterans.”

Barry Blevins, representing the Fayetteville chapter of Disabled American Veterans, said, “Community recognition of the challenges faced by our disabled returning heroes is essential. The debt of gratitude we owe to those who serve is sacred and unceasing.”

Helping to broaden the use of the Cross Creek sign and others like it throughout Cumberland County, the FACVB created three other signs, each honoring important pillars of the Fayetteville community: retired veterans, active duty soldiers and military spouses. In an effort to encourage use of these signs the FACVB has developed an online platform allowing businesses and organizations throughout the County to purchase one or more signs for their parking structures for a nominal cost.

Click here to visit the website and preview the new signs.

“Here in Fort Bragg Communities, we see firsthand the need for perpetual support of our men and women in uniform and their families.  There is a sincere appreciation for the work they do and a deep understanding of the sacrifices they make.” said John Meroski, President and CEO of the FACVB. “This is just one more way our community can band together to honor that work and sacrifice.” A driving force behind designating Cumberland County as America’s First Military Sanctuary Community, the FACVB continuously strives to put America’s heroes first.

The Cross Creek Mall sign will be unveiled on March 25th, in commemoration of National Medal of Honor Day.  Local Medal of Honor recipient Rudy Hernandez commented, “I can only hope that other communities around the country will follow the FACVB’s lead and ensure that dealing with the life-long impact of military service is not another battle America’s veterans must fight alone.”