The township committee worked with the Mantua VFW and the Veterans Commission to create the Hometown Heroes Veterans Banner Program, which spotlights military members both past and present.
As a way to honor Mantua’s military veterans and active-duty personnel, the township has launched its Hometown Heroes Veterans Banner Program.
The program – paid for in part by donations – was officially launched at a Feb. 9 committee meeting, after adoption of a resolution.
“Our community has always held our U.S. military veterans at the highest level of esteem,” said Mayor Robert Zimmerman. “The goal is for the township to publicly honor and recognize the service and sacrifice of its military and fallen heroes with personalized signs hung around town.”
The program will also honor any township residents who died during their service or were killed in action. First responders and emergency services personnel who died in the line of duty are also eligible.
A banner will feature the words “honoring the service of,” followed by a photo of the subject, their first, middle and last names, and the military branch, what combat zone they were in and the name of their unit. The sign will also include the name of its contributor; the minimum corporate or personal donation is $1,000.
The banners themselves will be eventually be hanged at the Veterans Memorial Plaza in front of the Mantua Municipal Building, and later in major gathering places like the entrance of Chestnut Branch Park and along Main Street.
The township goal is to have the program’s first phase implemented by Veterans Day on Nov. 11. Checks for banner contributions can be mailed to the municipal building at 401 Main St. Banner space is limited.
The township worked closely with both the veterans commission and members of the Mantua VFW to have the banners.
“We are grateful for those who are serving on the Hometown Heroes Veterans Banner Program working group to help bring this program to fruition,” Zimmerman noted. “I want to personally thank Joe Heitman, Charles Thorp, Jeff Gellenthin, Rob Anderson, Jack Campbell, John Legge and Jennica Bileci for their willingness to help ensure that the service and sacrifice of our veterans and local heroes is not forgotten.”
