Street banner program to honour our “Hometown Heroes”

July 22, 2016 · 0 Comments

By Michelle Janzen

Drivers going through downtown Shelburne will soon be able to make their commutes under the watchful eyes of our “hometown heroes” after the Town of Shelburne Council voted to create a banner program to honor past and present war vets.

The Hometown Hero Program is a partnership between The Royal Canadian Legion, Shelburne Branch #220, with the support of the Town of Shelburne.

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“The committee that is coordinating this project consists of myself, Linda Orvis, Ken Bennington and Dan Sample,” Lesa Peat, President of the Shelburne Legion, tells the Shelburne Free Press. “This initiative will allow residents to purchase banners bearing the names and pictures of those who have served, or who are currently serving our country. Each individual banner is unique and will honor a specific veteran and we hope to include their picture, branch of service, and era of service on it.

“The program is non-political and non-partisan. It is purely a living memorial to those who served our country.”

Shelburne CAO John Telfer confirmed that there are currently eleven spots in the downtown core that can hold flags of this type, so that equates to twenty-two vets that could be honoured on these flags, back to back, at one time.

“Our goal is to be ready for Remembrance Day 2016,” say Mayor Ken Bennington. “Currently still in the inaugural stages, more details will be release once they become available.”

It was suggested that banners shall be displayed for a specified period of time, before being retired and given to the veteran or the celebrated vet’s family as a keepsake.

Currently, the committee is asking to hear about your loved one’s military service for this great nation, whether it be past or current, male or female, living or deceased.

For more information, please contact the committee at hometownheroshelburne@gmail.com.

If you would like to share your own hero’s/heroes’ stories with us, please email the author at michelleljanzen@gmail.com.