CLARION, Pa. (EYT) — It won’t be long until “Hometown Heroes” will be marching down Clarion’s Main Street through a project sponsored by the American Legion Auxiliary Post 66.

The deadline for applications for a banner is Friday, August 17, and are available at the American Legion on Main Street.

Similar to displays in other communities, Hometown Hero banners honor veterans or active duty service members.  Members of the veteran’s families pay the costs of the banners.

“Banners are available on a first come, first served basis for any active duty or past duty service member,” said Auxiliary Member Sue Schmader.  “We are limited to a total of 188 banners at this time, but we hope to expand that number in the future.”

Clarion Borough has agreed to hang the banners, and the banners will be stored at the Clarion American Legion between uses.

The banners will be hung in Clarion from October following Autumn Leaf Festival through Veterans Day and then randomly used at other times throughout the year.

“We will share the use of the poles with other groups at all times other than the weeks leading up to Veterans Day,” Schmader said.

The cost is $25.00 and this includes a photograph on one side of a 16″ x 38″ banner to be hung in Clarion Borough. Families may also purchase a 5.5″ x 23″ yard banners for homes.

Also included on the banner is the name of the soldier, military rank, and military branch.

“This is being done by the auxiliary, but the Clarion Chamber is certainly supportive of the project, and the borough had to approve the use of the light poles and agreed to put the banners up and take them down,” said Schmader.

“For now, it’s just going to be on Main Street, but if we see there is a need or want to increase the numbers, then we’re going to have to look forward about contacting utility companies about the use of utility poles on other streets.”

For more information, call Sue Schmader at 814-227-3781.