Hometown Heroes banner program seeks veterans in 54166 area

The Hometown Heroes program opened applications on Jan. 13 for its annual series of veteran banners to be hung along South Main Street, and organizers expect another strong year of community recognition. Banners will run from Memorial Day through around Veterans Day, starting at the Elizabeth Street intersection and continuing south, and will be displayed in alphabetical order.

Each street banner will carry the veteran’s name, branch of service, and a military photo or official logo. Active service members and honorably discharged veterans who have served in the Army, Marines, Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard, Space Force, National Guard or Reserves are eligible to be featured. A residency rule limits honorees to people who currently live or have lived in the 54166 ZIP code.

Sponsorships are $250 per banner. That fee covers the banner and the mounting bracket, and may be provided by the veteran, a family member, a nominee, a business, or another supporter. Organizers note that space is limited and all applications, materials, and payments are due by March 31. Prospective applicants and sponsors can find application details and submit materials at shawanoshometownheroes.com or by emailing shawanoshometownheroes@gmail.com.

For downtown businesses and civic groups, the program offers a straightforward sponsorship opportunity that ties civic recognition to increased Main Street visibility. The banners create month-long displays that draw attention to the central business corridor during the Memorial Day-to-Veterans Day window, a period that includes several holiday weekends and community events. Local sponsors contribute directly to the cost of producing and mounting the banners, keeping expenses localized rather than relying on general tax revenues.

The program’s eligibility across all U.S. uniformed services, including the Space Force and National Guard, reflects current military structure and ensures broad inclusion of area veterans. Alphabetical display order gives every banner a predictable time in the spotlight, although limited physical space means early applications are likely to be favored.

What this means for readers is practical and immediate: veterans with ties to 54166 and their supporters have a defined, low-cost way to honor service publicly on downtown South Main. Businesses looking to show community support can use the $250 sponsorship as a visible, time-limited marketing and goodwill opportunity. With the March 31 deadline approaching, organizers urge applicants to assemble photo and service information and submit payments now so honorees can be confirmed in time for production and spring installation.

The Hometown Heroes banners will return to Main Street this summer, putting local veterans where neighbors can see them throughout the season and keeping community remembrance visible through Veterans Day.