CHEEKTOWAGA, N.Y. (WKBW) — A Cheektowaga man is showing his support for our veterans this Fourth of July with a flag tribute.
The man behind the display is Dave Shovelman. He was originally inspired by Ed Krier, who used to do displays in their neighborhood.
"He was one of the most patriotic people in all of Buffalo," Shovelman said.
Shovelman said Krier's family has allowed him to carry on the tradition for the past four years. His display features flags, inflatables and a painted tractor trailer.
"I'm doing this because I care," he said.
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Shovelman's reasoning behind the display is for his father, George Klostermann, who served in the U.S. Army from 1984 to 1988.
According to Klosterman, he trained in Fort Dix, New Jersey, and then Fort Hood, Texas. He was then stationed overseas outside of Frankfurt, Germany, in a town called Hanau until he was discharged in February 1988.
"It was one of the most pleasurable experiences that I had," Klostermann said.
Klostermann is proud to see his son carry on with the tradition.
"I wanted to give back to them because, as Buffalo is the City of Good Neighbors, and that's what I want to continue," Shovelman said.
You can check out the display at 55 Nokomis Avenue in Cheektowaga. Shovelman encourages anyone to stop by and pay their respects to those who served.
