NEW BETHLEHEM, Pa. — The coordinator for the Redbank Valley “Hometown Hero” veterans banner project announced this week that the 2017 deadline is rapidly approach for submission of military information and a photograph for the full-color banners.
Ray Ishman, who initiated the program this year, reminded eligible veteran, their families or other sponsors must submit the required information and photo not later than April 15.
The “Hometown Hero” banner is for honorably-discharged veterans, or current military personnel, who have lived in the Redbank Valley School District.
Ishman said this week that the number of veterans whose information is currently exceeding the 100 mark, with others “in the pipeline” for inclusion for this community’s initial participation in the program that has spread throughout the country.
Enrolled veterans will have 2×3-foot vinyl banners hung on utility poles along Broad Street from the west end of that street to the Redbank Valley High School and from the Broad-Wood intersection north to the borough line on Rt. 66.
The colored banners — containing an enlargement of a submitted photo of the honored military service individual — will be in place from before Memorial Day until after Veterans Day in November. They will then be removed and returned to the sponsor, who will have the choice of having the banners rehung again for a $10.00 fee in 2018.
The cost for the large banner will also include a 12×18-inch banner which the sponsor will also receive and display at home or keep for posterity to honor the service of veterans or present-day military man or woman, is $130.00, payable by check or cash. The cost also includes the utility pole brackets upon which the banners will be hung.
Information that will be included on the banner with the participant’s photo will be branch and period of service, the individual’s rank, veteran organization affiliation, and listing of awards for valor as documented by the DD 214 official service record.
Ishman or others assisting him in the enrollment will be present at the Redbank Valley Public Library on Broad Street from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. only on Tuesdays and Fridays.
