A banner honoring Staff Sgt. Franklin P. Lueke now hangs on Dixie Highway, just steps from the street where he grew up.

The City of Fort Mitchell spotlighted Lueke as its Military Monday honoree on Aug. 17, recognizing his service with the U.S. Air Force 90th Bomb Squadron. His double-sided banner is displayed between Burdsall Avenue and Pleasant Ridge Avenue.

The location carries personal weight. Lueke's daughter, Sandy Lenihan, noted in a comment on the city's Facebook post that her father's family lived on Pleasant Ridge Avenue in a house his father's company built.

"Like most combat veterans, Dad didn't talk to us kids about his experiences in the military, or even show us the medals he was awarded," Lenihan wrote.

A Cincinnati Enquirer clipping shared by Lenihan shows Lueke completed an intensive five-week training course at the Harlingen, Texas, Army Gunnery School, where he was promoted to staff sergeant and awarded his silver wings. The clipping lists his home address as 119 Pleasant Ridge Ave., Fort Mitchell.

The banner program

Fort Mitchell launched its Military Banner Program in late 2023, with the first banners going up in 2024. Each 30-by-80-inch banner costs $150 and features the honoree's photo, rank, name and branch. This year's banners also carry an "America 250" designation marking the country's 250th anniversary.

The banners line Dixie Highway from Memorial Day through Veterans Day. After that, each banner is given to the family that purchased it.

The program is open to veterans and active-duty service members who live or have lived in Fort Mitchell. Priority goes to those who haven't yet had a banner displayed. All 18 spots for 2026 filled by March 4, and the city is now accepting names for a 2027 waiting list.

Lueke joins other 2026 honorees including Capt. Gary Hackman of the U.S. Air Force and Pfc. Richard G. Kemper of the 3rd Marine Division. The city highlights one banner each Monday on social media throughout the display season.

Fort Mitchell was also the first city in Kentucky to join the Veterans Local Government Fellowship Post Organization in 2023, allowing it to recruit transitioning service members for city department jobs.

Residents interested in the 2027 waiting list can visit fortmitchell.com/veterans-banners or call 859-331-1212.

Upcoming Fort Mitchell events

  • Thursday, Aug. 20: Garden Club Flower Arrangement Workshop, 7 p.m. at the Fort Mitchell City Building Council Chamber, 2355 Dixie Highway. Reservations required at [email protected].
  • Saturday, Oct. 17: Fort Mitchell Night at the Cincinnati Observatory, 7:30 p.m.