To the Editor:

The banners are up!

The volunteers of the Westerlo Hometown Heroes Committee are excited to announce all Hometown Heroes banners are displayed.

Many, many thanks to County Executive Dan McCoy, Albany County Department of Public Works Commissioner Lisa Ramundo, Albany County DPW Westerlo workers, Westerlo Highway Superintendent Jody Ostrander, and Dave Pecylak of the Westerlo Highway Department for the hard work installing the banners by Memorial Day.

This year we placed 90 banners! This is double what we normally display. We are honored to have 22 new veteran banners and 10 new first-responder banners.

The committee is grateful for the support of our community and the family and friends who sponsor banners for their loved ones.

We also need to give a huge thank-you to our sponsors as well! These individuals sponsor banners to make it possible for everyone who wants a banner to have one. Whenever possible, please thank these individuals and most importantly please support their businesses.

This year’s sponsors were: 518 Realty.Com, Cottonwood Creek Veterinary Services, A. J. Cunningham Funeral Home, Eastern Mutual Insurance Co., Grace Roofing, Hometown Deli, Kelly’s Pharmacy, Matt Kryzak, Maple on the Lake, McDermott Auto, Sperry’s Auto Repair, STS 5 Petroleum, Inc. (otherwise known as M&B’s), Sunset Hill Labrador Retrievers, The Tasting Lab, Town Line Auto and Town Line Motorsports.

Please enjoy a scenic ride through Westerlo to view all the banners.

The banners are displayed on State Route 85 at Flood Road, heading toward M&B’s, left onto State Route 143 into town, a few to the right on County Route 1, straight down County Route 401, left on County Route 405, left on State Route 32, left onto State Route 143, a few on County Route 312 on the right, straight down State Route 143 into town.

Families and friends are welcome to share pictures of their loved one’s banners. If you are able to safely get a picture of your loved one standing with their banner we would love you to share them with us on our Facebook page (Westerlo Hometown Heroes).

Lastly, please save the following dates:

— This year’s closing ceremony will be on Saturday, Nov. 2, at 2 p.m. at the First Westerlo Baptist Church in Westerlo. This is a fantastic event open to the public honoring all Hometown Heroes; and

— Our Veterans Day Sunset Service on Veterans Day, Nov. 11, at Veterans Memorial Park in Westerlo.

God bless our Hometown Heroes and God bless America.

Amie Burnside

Chairwoman

Lisa DeGroff

Cricket Elderd

Betty Filkins

Lisa Joslin

Becky Kryzak

Matt Kryzak

Lorraine Pecylak

Committee members

And volunteers