The Vestal Town Board has launched a Hometown Heroes program that will place custom banners honoring local service members along Front and Main streets.
The town announced the program Wednesday and said the first banners are expected to go up in spring 2027. Town Highway and Parks employees will install the banners each spring and remove them in the fall.
Each banner will remain in the annual rotation for three years. After that period, the banner will be returned to the sponsoring family.
Applications are scheduled to open in January 2027. The town says it will not accept early applications, but every sponsored banner submitted through the program will be displayed.
Family members will serve as sponsors and pay the banner cost. Vestal said the current price is expected to be less than $200, although the exact amount will depend on the supplier. The town will not collect money from the program and says it will have no out-of-pocket expense.
Town officials said the program is intended to create a visible tribute to people from the community who served in the military while giving families a way to recognize that service.
Additional application details, eligibility rules and ordering instructions are expected before the January opening. Families interested in participating should wait for the town’s official application process rather than submitting materials early.
