Allied Waste is the corporate sponsor of The Wall, an American veterans traveling tribute memorial, which will be featured at this year’s Red, White & Blue Festival, Nov. 6, in Bullard. Helping to kick off the sponsorship were Robert Huston with The Wall, Karen Vaughn of Texas National Bank, John Dumesnil with The Wall, Gene Keenon of Allied Waste, Charlie Weatherly with The Wall and Terry Boyd of Austin Bank; back row, Steve Langford of Texas National Bank, Bullard City Engineer Brian Capps, Bullard Mayor Teresa Adams-Wilks, Bullard City Manager Larry Morgan, RWB organizer Brandi Abercrombie, James Murphy of Allied Waste, Bullard Area Chamber member Stephanie Moore and David Fritche.

(Banner Staff Photo by Don Treul) To honor veterans of all wars, organizers of the 11th annual Red, White & Blue Festival will feature The Wall, an American veterans traveling tribute memorial.

Allied Waste is the corporate sponsor that will pay to bring the memorial to Bullard during the festival, which is slated for Saturday, Nov. 6, in downtown Bullard.

“It’s hard to think you’re doing enough for our veterans,” said James Murphy, general manager for Allied Waste.

John Dumesnil, Charlie Weatherly and Robert Huston travel with the wall all around the U.S. According to Dumesnil, The Wall visits between 30 to 40 places each year. There are two exhibits, including one “outside” exhibit that will be in Bullard for the festival.

The Wall is an 80 percent replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington DC. It is more than 380 feet long from end to end and contains all 58,253 names.

“It is a tribute to those who fought and continue to fight for our freedom,” said Gene Keenon, of Allied Waste. “We’re glad to be able to do this for Bullard.”

The Wall exhibitions are paid for by sponsors, such as Allied Waste, donations and by purchasing merchandize such as caps, Tshirts and more. Opportunities to donate and to purchase merchandise will be at the November festival.

“I think this is just incredible,” said Bullard Mayor Teresa Adams-Wilks.

Stephanie Moore, who is a member of the Bullard Area Chamber of Commerce, found out that The Wall headquarters was recently moved to Flint. She contacted the organizers – one thing led to another – and Bullard was added to the list of cities that will host The Wall.

More sponsors are needed for the festival, including:

Red Sponsor Level - $5,000 donation; benefits include top billing, special recognition throughout the event, advertising on all of the festival media publications with logo, sponsorship banner displayed on the main stage, autograph session, a listing on all advertising signage and all posters, advertising on the Chamber Web site, an exhibitor-vendor booth, participation in the parade, banquet recognition and two tickets and a Tshirt.

White Sponsor Level - $3,000 donation; benefits include special recognition throughout the event, advertising on all of the festival media publications with logo, a listing on all advertising signage and all posters, advertising on the Chamber Web site, an exhibitor-vendor booth, participation in the parade, banquet recognition and two tickets and a Tshirt.

Blue Sponsor Level - $1,000 donation; benefits include special recognition throughout the event, advertising on all of the festival media publications with logo, a listing on all advertising signage and all posters, advertising on the Chamber Web site, an exhibitor-vendor booth, participation in the parade, banquet recognition and two tickets and a Tshirt.

Five Star Sponsor Level - $500 donation, benefits include a listing on all advertising signage and advertising on the Chamber Web site, an exhibitor-vendor booth, participation in the parade, banquet recognition and a T-shirt.

Four Star Sponsor Level - $250; benefits include a listing on all advertising signage and advertising on the Chamber Web site, participation in the parade, banquet recognition and a T-shirt.

Three Star Sponsor Level - $25 to $249; advertising on the Chamber Web site, participation in the parade and banquet recognition.

Checks should be made payable to Bullard Area Chamber of Commerce, BACC-Festival, P.O. Box 945, Bullard, TX 75757.