Help put your Hometown Hero on a banner

To the Editor:

A group of volunteers from the town of Westerlo are once again administering the Hometown Heroes Banner Program that has gained local and national attention. The program proudly recognizes veterans, both living and deceased.

Each banner will honor a specific current or former Westerlo veteran and will include his or her name, branch of service, service dates, and any applicable wars. Branches of military service to be honored include Army, Navy, Marines, Air Force, Coast Guard, and National Guard. Banners are available for living or deceased, currently serving or those honorably discharged.

The banners will be placed throughout the town of Westerlo. Every request will be honored as placements are made available. The committee will place and maintain the banners while they are on display. The banners will be on display from May through November.

At the conclusion of the program, the banners will be removed and presented to the family or sponsor. Any banner that is not presented to a family member or sponsor will be displayed in the Westerlo Town Hall. Banners may be sponsored by individuals, families, businesses, or organizations at a cost of $175 per banner. For those who need a sponsor for their loved one’s banner, we will match you with one on a first come, first served basis.

The committee is also accepting applications from those who were previously honored. Banners from previous years may be re-hung for a cost of $20 per banner. A separate form must be completed to re-hang a banner.

If you do not know a local veteran but would like to sponsor a banner, the committee will pair you with an eligible honoree. Sponsors are a large part of our ability to honor veterans who otherwise may not be able to afford their own banner. All sponsors will receive recognition on the veteran banner they support. Anonymous sponsors are also welcome.

The committee is also grateful for generous donations in any amount. Please consider supporting the Westerlo Hometown Heroes Banner Program as a sponsor or donor. Donations should be made payable to: Westerlo Hometown Heroes and mailed to Amie Burnside, 25 County Route 413, Westerlo, NY 12193.

Forms are available at Town Hall and at the highway department office by appointment only, by mail or email. All applicable forms and payment must be completed and received no later than April 1. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact: Chairperson Amie Burnside by phone at 518-396-8787 or by email at amielburnside@yahoo.com or Lisa DeGroff by phone at 518-396-0350 or by email at bltsdegroff@aol.com.

God bless our troops and God bless America.

Amie Burnside

Chairperson

Westerlo

Hometown Heroes

Banner Committee

 

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