The Town of Guilderland and the Guilderland Chamber of Commerce, with the support of local Veteran’s organizations, are prou
d to announce the launch of the Guilderland Hometown Heroes Banner Program. The program will honor residents of Guilderland, Altamont, Berne, Knox and Westerlo who are veterans or are serving in the United States Armed Forces. Each banner will honor a specific service person by including their name, branch of service and photo.
An opening ceremony will take place in the spring of 2018 and the banners will be displayed from spring through fall of 2018 on light poles at Tawasentha Park and at the Guilderland Public Library. When the display is completed, the banners will be retired and presented to families and sponsors at a closing reception in November.
“This program will both honor local service members and also remind us of their dedication to our nation,” said Guilderland Town Supervisor, Peter G. Barber. “Our community has been blessed by its women and men who have served our country and this banner program will recognize the sacrifices of our veterans and their families.”
Individuals, families, businesses or organizations may sponsor a banner at a cost of $150 per banner. The Town of Guilderland will purchase brackets for 28 banners in 2018. Local veterans’ organizations are also very supportive of the program. “Our goal is to increase public awareness of the sacrifices our service people make each day, including those who currently serve and those we have lost,” said Town Highway Superintendent Steve Oliver, who is member of the Altamont American Legion Riders.
“We anticipate that the program will take off and we will receive many applications,” said Guilderland Chamber President Danielle Walsh. “While we will have a limited number of banners in 2018, moving forward the banner committee will seek new locations to display the banners and each request will be honored as placements are made available.”
Gregory Wier, Director of Parks and Recreation for the Town, said that the program is intended to reach Guilderland’s neighboring hill towns as well. “At our most recent meeting, Supervisor Barber suggested that the program should extend beyond Guilderland, and recognize veterans and their families in our neighboring towns. So far, the response has been very positive.”
Applications to sponsor a banner are available at the Parks & Recreation office and the Guilderland Chamber of Commerce office or online at www.guilderlandchamber.com. For more information, please contact the Chamber at (518) 456-6611 or Parks & Recreation at (518) 456-3150
Servicemember Sponsorship Form
Hometown Heroes Informational Letter
Please complete the Sponsorship Form and return it to the Chamber office.
To pay with a credit card, please click here