Hometown Heroes Committee members at their final meeting before the unveiling ceremony scheduled for 10 a.m. on Flag Day, Wednesday, June 14 in Norwich's East Park. Approximately 70 banners honoring local veterans will be hung throughout downtown Norwich over the coming weeks. (Photo by Sarah Genter)

NORWICH — The Hometown Heroes Committee has announced the banners honoring City of Norwich veterans will be unveiled this Flag Day on Wednesday, June 14. A ceremony will be held at 10 a.m. in Norwich's East Park.

The program will include a welcome message from Committee Member and Director of Veteran Services Joe Coe, a presentation of the history and future of the program, and biographical information about three local Civil War veterans honored on the banners: William Guernsey, Elisha B. Smith, and Benjamin Tillett.

Approximately 68 to 70 banners will be hung on every other pole down South and North Broad Street in the coming weeks, from McDonald's to the north city limits, along East and West Main Street from the VFW to Guernsey Memorial Library, and in the historic district from the North Broad and Rexford Street intersection down to Silver Street.

Applications for next year's round of Hometown Heroes banners will also be available at the event.

Veterans themselves may apply, or friends and family of a veteran may nominate them. The nominated or applying veteran must be a current or former resident of the Norwich City School District, and either honorably discharged from a branch of service or currently serving on active duty.

Proof of service is also required, and may include a DD-214, Certificate of Service, death certificate, or obituary. The committee also requires biographical information such as name, rank, awards, branch and years of service, and a photo of the veteran, preferably in uniform. If no such photo is available, formal photos of the veteran or their branch of service's logo may be used instead at the committee's discretion.

The Hometown Heroes banner program is completely free to apply and participate. Applications can be emailed to norwichnyhometownheroes@gmail.com or mailed to the Chenango County Historian's Office c/o Norwich Hometown Heroes, 43 Rexford Street, Norwich, NY, 13815.

The Hometown Heroes program is a nationwide organization that aims to honor past and present members of the Armed Forces, first responders, and their family members. More information can be found at HometownHeroesBanners.com.


For more information, visit the Norwich Hometown Heroes Program, Norwich, NY Facebook page.

Read more about the Hometown Heroes program and the unveiling ceremony in next week's Evening Sun!