POWELL — The utility poles in downtown Powell will carry the faces and stories of those who served in the U.S. military beginning next spring.
Powell City Council approved Tuesday the creation of a Hometown Heroes banner program.
The commemorative banners will hang from 43 city-owned utility poles, allowing for a total of 86 flags to honor current and former military service members with ties to Powell.
Each banner will display the service member’s photo, name and branch of service during two periods each year.
Banners will be displayed from seven days before Armed Forces Day through seven days after Memorial Day, and again from seven days before Veterans Day through seven days after the holiday.
The Hometown Heroes Banner Program is a county-wide initiative coordinated by the Delaware County Veterans Service Office.
Other cities and villages involved in the program include Sunbury, Ashley and Radnor.
The city’s role in the program is only to install and remove banners and make City Hall, located at 47 Hall St., available as a drop-off location for applications.
The Powell Veterans Committee will handle outreach, review applications and maintain program records on a rolling basis.
Once an application is approved, the committee will forward it and the accompanying fee to the Veterans Service Office, which will order the banner and return it to the committee.
How to submit an application
Veterans, current service members or family members of either must submit an application for a banner at least 60 days ahead of the display windows.
To be eligible, an honoree must be a current or former member of the U.S. Armed Forces and have a substantial connection to Powell, according to the program’s policy.
Former service members must have been honorably discharged. Honorees must also be current or former Powell residents or have another substantial tie to the community.
The Powell Veterans Committee will determine whether an applicant’s connection to the community is substantial enough to qualify.
The application process involves submitting the honoree’s discharge document (DD-214) if applicable, a photograph and a payment of $115, made out to the VSO’s designated vendor.
If the Veterans Service office accepts the application, the banner will be on display for up to two consecutive years before the applicant can choose to renew or have the banner returned to them.
In the event more than 83 people submit an application, the committee will select applications on a first-come, first-served basis.
For more questions about the program, contact Veterans Service Office Enrichment and Outreach Coordinator Kim Gilley at kgilley@co.delaware.oh.us or 740-833-2051.
