All veterans in attendance were recognized at the Hometown Heroes banner unveiling ceremony on Wednesday. (Photo by Sarah Genter)

NORWICH — On Flag Day, Wednesday, June 14, the Norwich Hometown Heroes Banner Committee hosted an unveiling ceremony in Norwich's East Park.

The ceremony opened with a welcome message from Office of Veterans Services Coordinator and Hometown Heroes Committee member Joe Coe, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance led by Assemblyman Joseph Angelino.

Around 70 banners honoring City of Norwich veterans are being displayed throughout Norwich. The banners feature veterans dating back to the Civil War, from all branches of service, men and women, and from several families in the Norwich area. Included on the banners is a photo of the service member, their name, branch of service, and the years they served.

The City of Norwich Department of Public Works (DPW) began hanging the banners on Monday, June 5.

"They started this project of putting the banners up last Monday, and they are three quarters of the way done. It’s a lot of work and a lot of time. So I would like to recognize them," said Coe.

Wednesday's ceremony included an opening invocation by VFW Post 2782 Chaplain Lex Danyluk.

"Gracious Father, as we gather here today to celebrate Flag Day, we are reminded of the American flag, a symbol of a great nation that was started in your honor," said Danyluk. "We thank you for the men and the women of the 13 colonies that stood together in formation of this great nation. We thank you for the hundreds of thousands of men and women that fought and stood together to defend our flag."

"We ask that you continue to provide us with your wisdom, your honor, and your guidance, and most of all, your protection as we face the daily challenges as individuals and as a nation," he continued. "On this day, Flag Day, June 14, 2023, we give thanks and praise for the flag of the United States of America and all that it stands for. In your most precious name, I humbly ask these things. Amen."

Chenango County Deputy Historian and Hometown Heroes Committee Member John Antonowicz provided history on Flag Day and the Hometown Heroes program, and information on the future of the program.

"It was not until 1949 that Congress approved the national observance [of Flag Day] and President Harry Truman signed it into law. Today, here in Norwich, New York, we are starting our own tradition to honor the women and men who fought for the flag, our country, and our little city," said Antonowicz.

"Since the winter, our committee has met to initiate this project. It was not an easy task, with nearly double the requests of what we could produce," he added. "This project not only is important for the city, but is allowing us to document veteran history of Norwich and Chenango County. This information will be preserved at the Chenango County Historian’s Office and will serve as an archive for future researchers."

The committee received more than 120 applications for banners - nearly double what they are able to display at one time. Committee members selected the approximately 70 banners to be displayed this year, ensuring a diversity of branches of service and local families were represented. Applications that were not selected for this year's round of banners will be retained by the committee for consideration in future displays.

Moving forward, the banners will be taken down for the winter on Veterans Day, and the next round of banners will be put up on Flag Day next year.

Applications are now being accepted for the 2024 round of banners. 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 are available on the Norwich Hometown Heroes Program, Norwich, NY Facebook page; at the Norwich VFW Post 2782; the Norwich American Legion Post 189; and the Chenango County Office of Veterans Services.

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 unveiling ceremony closed with a prayer by Acting Legion Auxiliary Unit 189 Chaplain Charlene LaFever.

"Oh God, we remember and thank you for our veterans. Those honored here today and all those who have served to preserve the principles of justice, freedom, and democracy. Thank you for the brave and valiant men and women serving now, and those who will be serving in the future," she said. "We are thankful for the lives who we have remembered here today. May their memory serve as an inspiration to us as we leave today in harmony, peace, and good will, to spread the spirit of our love for our country. Be with us and guide us, we pray, amen."


The Norwich Hometown Heroes Committee is made up of Director of Veterans Services and Retired Air Force Veteran Joe Coe, CCHS Archives and Collections Coordinator Zachary Greenfield, Hospice of Chenango County Director of Volunteers and Outreach and member of the We Honor Veterans Program Sarah Green, Deputy County Historian John Antonowicz, community member and relative of local veterans Nancy Sawyer, local historian and author Sharon Donahe, Retired Air Force Veteran Tom Ryan, Chenango County Historian Henry Drexler, Retired Army Veteran Jim Cushman, and BID Administrator and Air Force Veteran Tracy Chawgo.


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.


Questions about the Hometown Heroes program can be sent to norwichnyhometownheroes@gmail.com. For more information and digital applications, visit the Norwich Hometown Heroes Program, Norwich, NY Facebook page.