Lockport honoring military service with Hero Banners downtown

Lockport — The city of Lockport, in conjunction with the Summer Art Series and Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 5788, once again is creating Hero Banners to celebrate veterans and active-duty service members from Lockport, and it has opened applications for service members’ families.

“This is our second year doing this, and we’ve had a good turnout so far,” said Allison Cann, special events and marketing coordinator. “We sold out last year, and we’ve already had about 20 applications this year.”

Last year, the city hung 40 banners throughout the downtown area, although this year that has been expanded to “about 45,” Cann said.

The double-sided, vinyl banners, which measure 30 inches by 74 inches, will be displayed on lamp posts throughout the city along Hamilton Street, Washington Street, Eighth Street, Ninth Street and 10th Street. The banners feature a photo of the service member as well as their name and branch of the military.

Active duty, retired and deceased members of the armed forces, including the National Guard and Reserves are eligible for banners. Eligible members also must live in Lockport or have grown up in Lockport and have a family member still in the city. Veterans who have died must have lived in the city previously.

“Last year we had a good representation of active duty service members and retired or deceased members,” Cann said. “It was nice seeing the wide variety of age ranges, and it looks like we’ll have a similar variety this year.”

In order to apply, banner sponsors must submit an application form, which can be found on the city’s website, as well as a copy of the veteran’s DD Form 214 or other proof of service, a high-resolution digital photograph or a hard copy photo that can be scanned at city hall and returned to the sponsor, and a check for $150 made out to the city of Lockport.

All applications and fees are due by April 1.

No applications that include nicknames deemed offensive will be accepted. Applications are processed on a first-come, first-served basis and are limited to one banner per veteran per year. If more applications are received than can be accommodated this year, those sponsors will be put on a wait list for next year.

“We had about 25 people on the wait list last year, including people who sent requests or expressed interest during the year,” Cann said. “We sent out emails to all of those people before the applications opened to give them the first chance at the banners this year.”

Although families can buy banners multiple years in a row, Cann said the city would “prefer” for new families to have “first dibs” each year.

“In the spirit of giving everyone a chance, we’d like to see new faces up on the banners this year,” Cann said. “But we are looking at it on a case-by-case basis because we want to honor those willing to support the program.”

The $150 fee goes to the cost of creating the banners, with extra funds going to support the VFW Auxiliary, which creates care packages for active duty troops and supports local veterans charities and services.

The banners will hang throughout the city between Memorial Day and Veterans Day, at which time the sponsoring family is able to collect and keep the banner. All sponsoring families also are invited to a special breakfast and dedication ceremony for the banners on Memorial Day at the VFW Post 5788, 1026 E. 9th St.

“The Summer Art Series talked about this for several years and was finally able to do it last year,” Cann said. “It was very well received. We got a lot of calls saying how much people liked it.

“I think Lockport is a perfect town for this kind of program, and we plan to continue it as long as we can.”

Applications can be submitted online to Cann at acann@lockport.org, by mail in care of Cann at Lockport City Hall, or by submitting the documents and payment in person at City Hall.