To the Editor:

As chairwoman of the Westerlo Hometown Heroes Committee, I would like to invite everyone to come “tour” our banners. We are pleased in our inaugural year we were able to display 23 banners honoring our Hometown Heroes, from World War I through Iraq and Afghanistan.

Our banners are located in the center of town on routes 143, 1, and 401. Additional banners are also located in South Westerlo on routes 401 and 405.

We are proud to honor the follow veterans for their service: T/Sgt. Herman J. Britton, SP5 James J. Cornell, T/Sgt. James Eardly, Joseph Farkas, Clyde Filkins, Engineman E5 Richard Filkins, 1st Lt. Belva Gardiner, SFC Ricky A. Haley Jr., Frank Herzhaft, Cpl. William J Kelly, and PFC Edwin V. Koster.

Also: T/Sgt. Stanley Lockwood, SP4 Dennis M. McDermott, Corporal Luke McDermott, Roy Monkel, William J. Murray, Mary Clickman Moore, John P Nevins, Petty Officer 1st Class Charles Howard Peck Jr., PFC Carl D. Smith, George Snyder, Walter Snyder, and PFC Fletcher Tallman.

Many thanks go out to our local businesses and individuals who sponsored banners this year. Whenever possible, we hope our local and extended communities will continue to support the following businesses as they have supported us.

Thanks to: Coldwell Banker in Greenville; Chipped, Tarnished and Torn; Eastern Mutual Insurance Co.; Energy Solutions by Americans; Family Oil Inc.; GNH; Greenville Liquors; M & D Farm; Town Line Auto; Town Line Motorsports; Whiteman, Osterman & Hanna LLP; and Larry and Dotty Verch.

The committee would also like to thank the Town of Westerlo Highway Department. Each employee took great care to install these banners, being ever mindful of the respect they deserve.

They paid close attention to detail and installed them in locations that would be meaningful to the families and the veterans. They planned their work day accordingly so that all other tasks were completed and the banners were displayed for all of our community to pay tribute.

The Altamont Enterprise also deserves thanks for their news coverage of the process of the Westerlo Hometown Heroes Banner Committee from the beginning through a follow-up photo display both in print and online.

The Westerlo Hometown Heroes Committee invites everyone to attend our closing ceremony on Nov. 17 at 1 p.m. at the Westerlo Town Hall at 933 Route 401. The ceremony will honor this year’s veterans and all banners will be presented to the families or sponsors.

We have some guest speakers planned as well as a chorus from the Berne-Knox-Westerlo High School. The event is free of charge and open to the public. We will also be offering a complimentary buffet. Those who wish to attend may email me their RSVP.  (We would like to plan for the appropriate amount of food for the buffet.)

Of course, anyone who would like more information about purchasing a banner for a veteran family member or someone you know, or anyone who would like to sponsor a banner or would like to simply make a donation in any amount, may contact either myself at: , 518-396-8787 or Lisa DeGroff at: , 518-396-0350.

Amie Burnside

Westerlo