HOMETOWN HERO BANNER PROGAM
**CLICK HERE TO APPLY FOR THE 2025 SEASON**
applications have closed for 2024
Main Street Van Wert is proud to honor our servicemen and servicewomen by facilitating the Van Wert Hometown Heroes Program. This program is a living tribute created for the community to recognize and honor Van Wert residents and their family members who are serving, or are veterans who have served, our country in the United States Armed Forces and retired Firefighters, Paramedics, and Police Officers. Each banner will be in honor of a specific service person and will include their name, branch of service, and photo (if provided). Banners will be displayed on street lamps in Downtown Van Wert
Purpose and Description of Program
This program was created to pay tribute to the brave men and women in Van Wert who are serving, have served, or have given their life to our country in the United States Armed Forces and those who have retired from being Firefighters, Paramedics, and Police Officers.
The Hometown Heroes Banners are funded through donations. The cost of each banner is $200 (including installation and removal).
Eligibility
The individual to be recognized must reside or have resided in the City of Van Wert and call Van Wert their hometown. Individuals must have served in any of the following branches (Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, National Guard, Coast Guard, and Space Guard), as well as being a retired Firefighter, Paramedic, and Police Officer, and must also meet one of the following conditions
Currently, be an active service member
Be an honorably discharged veteran
Died in the line of duty
Cost
The cost per banner is $200 for the administration, production, installation, and removal of the banner. If the banner is in good condition after it has already been put up, you will have the choice to rehang the banner for $100.
Sponsorship/Donations
Sponsorships and donations will be used to assist families who would like to take part in this program and cannot afford to pay the cost of the banner production. You can sponsor a specific banner/family or simply donate funds to be used as needs arise. In order to sponsor a specific veteran, firefighter, paramedic, or police officer, an application form must have been received for their participation in this program. If no application was received, sponsorship funds will be used where needed. Sponsors will be listed on the Main Street Van Wert website.
Banner Display
The banner will be displayed from Memorial Day in May to Veterans Day in November. The banners will be 2ft. by 3ft. with a picture of the hometown hero on them. After the first year on display and if it is in good condition, you will have the opportunity to rehang your banner the next year for half the price. If you chose not to or if the banner is not in good condition to stay up another year, the banner will be retired to your home.
Ordering a Banner
To nominate your Hometown Hero for participation in this program go to https://form.jotform.com/242425062543046 Once the information has been processed you will receive an email containing instructions on how to submit the supplemental materials (photo, release form, and payment).
