601 Vigilance Committee to Help Honor War Heroes

American Hero banners of SSGT John Bolander and SSG Bryan Bowlander hanging on C Street in Virginia City, NV

Virginia City, NV - July 8, 2024.  Each year, the town of Virginia City celebrates a fine tradition of hanging banners to honor United States Veterans.  Beginning two (2) weeks prior to Memorial Day continuing through Veteran’s Day banners are placed up and down the “C” street lamp posts displaying name, rank, branch of service and photo of these American war heroes. Fallen soldiers are recognized and noted as “K.I.A” and placed in the center of town while other Veterans are listed as “American Hero” and placed on the remaining lamp posts along “C” street.

First started by Greg and Brenda Bolander as a rememberance to honor their son who fell during the War in Iraq, the number of banners has now grown to recognize over 200 hundred soldiers and continues to grow every year. “Originally these banners were family members of VC residents and now includes soldiers from surrounding areas as well” says Philip Greaves who now manages the banner program along with his wife Diane. Entering its ninth year, these banners are now starting to show signs of wear and tear from the extreme Virginia City weather and are in need of replacement.

Local patriots from the 601 Vigilance Committee, a 501c3 non-profit, have stepped forward to spearhead the initiative to replace worn-out banners, pledging $1,000 towards funding and purchase of new banners. Hunter Hampton, a board member of the 601, emphasizes that these banners “serve to underscore the deep gratitude owed to American soldiers for their sacrifices in safeguarding our freedom, while encouraging remembrance and honoring their unwavering courage and dedication.”

The 601 is a community service organization which helps preserve the Comstock heritage, cowboy traditions, Nevada's wild horses, and gun safety through grants, donations, and scholarships in the Comstock region.  The 601 hosts various fundraisers as a source of revenue to fund its generosity.  Since 2014 the 601 has donated over $50,000.00 to assist in promoting and preserving Comstock traditions and the arts for children. 

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601 Vigilance Committee Strikes Again With Large Donation

In the tradition of 601 generosity, Chairman Gus Fincel and Legends Keeper Frosty Walker are shown giving away a total of $8,000 in donations. Accepting $4,000 each for the Comstock Cemetery Foundation is Cal Dillion and for The Let ‘Um Run Foundation is Lacy J. Dalton.

There is no doubt that Comstock era history is still alive and well in Virginia City, Nevada. As in the days of 1870’s, “the 601 Vigilance committee was active about town” on February 14th 2020. The 601 again occupied the historic piper’s opera house in force, dressed in period attire and armed with period firearms, however not for the purposes of Instituting summary justice on a villain of society or criminal malcontent. On this occasion the 601 was more in line with its modern-day mission of protecting and preserving the historical Comstock, as a non-profit Nevada registered corporation, for fundraising. The atmosphere was one of celebration, music and admiration for true western music talent and making contributions in support of the community.

The 601 valentine’s day fundraising event, billed as “an evening of hearts and roses,” was not only sold out in advance, but with standing room only for a time. This event brought back the elegant days of gala Victorian era celebrations. White table cloths and 400 sweet smelling, live, red and pink roses were distributed on the tables and the stage. Rose and wild horse pictures decorated the balconies. Champagne on every table, pink and white balloons and a full 601 bar made for a social gathering of days gone by. The aroma of the delicious prime rib/roasted chicken dinner by the cider factory, and a 601 bar set the stage for an evening of wonderful food and entertainment.

The featured presentation for the event was a special and unique performance by two exquisite performers, Lacy J Dalton and David John, with their single musical accompaniments of Dale Poune and Robert ”Doc” Quam. The performance was all original songs written by each of them, and performed along with a narrative as to the inspiration, meanings and messages for each song. Alternating songs between the artists brought exuberant applause and several attendees to their feet which included sometimes tearful expressions for songs like David John’s Listen To The Wind”, “Father Time” and Lacy’s songs “Old Soldier” and “Little Boy Blue”.

The evening concluded with a silent auction of donated items by Lacy J Dalton, David John and Dien, Rita Fincel, Rick and Gina Stephenson, Barry and Gwen Humes, the 601 Vigilance Committee, the Let ‘em Run Foundation and the Cider Factory restaurant. In total, the 601 event raised $4000.00 in support of the efforts of The Comstock Cemetery Foundation to repair vandalism and improve security at the silver terrace cemeteries, and $4000.00 to the Let ‘em Run Foundation to provide for care and protection of local wild horses of Storey County.

This evening, with patron support from as far away as Austin, Texas and Van Nuys, California, added to the 12 years of fundraising efforts of the 601 Vigilance Committee who have in the past have contributed in excess of $50.000.00 to preserve and protect various historical entities within the Comstock historical district. Benefactors have included Piper’s Opera House, St. Mary’s Art Center, police and fire museums, the Cemetery Foundation, the Let ’em Run Foundation, “V” lighting on Mt. Davidson, the 2nd Amendment July 4th celebrations and local friends of the NRA events. If you wish to support the 601 Vigilance Committee ™ in the future with donations, please go to 601VC.org.

David John & Comstock Cowboys 2nd Amendment Concert

Sponsored by the 601 Vigilance Committee, a free outdoor concert in the historic streets of Virginia City, raising money for the comstock community while celebrating our 2nd Amendment rights as Americans. To watch the short video click on the picture.

Gus Fincel to talk about 601 Vigilance Committee

Frosty Walker, Virginia City Living Legend