SOUTH WHITEHALL TWP., Pa. — A common tradition honoring local veterans is coming to the township.
South Whitehall next year will start a pilot Hometown Heroes Banner Program, displaying banners with local veterans’ photos, along with their military branch, rank, title and years served.
The banners will be along the road in front of South Whitehall Township Municipal Building, which is next to the Parkland Community Library.
The township Board of Commissioners reviewed the plan at its meeting last week.
“It's a great way to honor those who have served in our communities."Commissioner Jacob Roth
“It's a great way to honor those who have served in our communities,” Commissioner Jacob Roth said.
Twelve banners will be displayed in the program’s first year. Registration opens on Nov. 8, and applications for banners will be accepted through March 28.
Commissioner Chris Peischl said he thinks there should be more banners.
“I think the 12 will sell out on Nov. 8,” Peischl said.
Petrucci said township staff are looking into putting them in parks, since the township does not have a main street and the utility poles are not consistent throughout the main corridors.
How will the program work?
To qualify for a banner, a veteran, living or deceased, must have lived in South Whitehall Township and have been honorably discharged.
Banner displays are available first-come, first-served until all available spots are filled.
The proposed price to display a banner is $200, which Petrucci said covers the cost to make them and put them up.
The new banners will be installed next spring in advance of Memorial Day. They will be displayed through Veterans Day, then taken into storage.
“That way, the banners aren't out in the brunt of the winter season,” Petrucci said.
Each banner will be displayed for at least two years, depending on their condition. Afterward, they will be given to the families as a keepsake.
