UTICA JOINS PARTNERS TO EXPAND HOMETOWN HEROES BANNER PROGRAM

UTICA— Utica Mayor Robert M. Palmieri today announced that, due to overwhelming public demand, the City of Utica will be expanding the Hometown Heroes banner program to include the newly-renovated Oriskany Boulevard corridor. The expansion is made possible by a $5,000 commitment from the New York State Correctional Officers and Police Benevolent Association. 

The Hometown Heroes banner program began last year and was spearheaded by the Oneida Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution, the Military Order of the Purple Heart Chapter 490 and the Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 490. The mission of the program is to place banners honoring veterans, living or deceased, who served in any branch of the United States Armed Forces.

The community response to the program, which initially placed banners along the Parkway and adjoining streets, was greater than anticipated. In fact, there were more requests than could be filled in 2022. The program operates on a first-come-first-serve basis with preference being given to veterans from Utica. There is a limited number of poles the banners can be placed on and each banner costs $150. The donation from NYSCOBA will cover all of the fixtures and hardware needed to hang the banners.

To have a banner made in honor of a veteran, the submission form can be found at https://www.mohawkvalleyhometownheroes.com/. Individuals can submit the form, upload the picture and make a payment on the website. The initiative has traditionally received invaluable support from Professional Media Services, the Utica Comets and Harley Davidson of Utica.

Banners are displayed throughout the city just before Memorial Day and remain until after Veteran’s Day.

Mischael McKenna, of the Daughters of the American Revolution, has been at the forefront of making the program successful and ultimately expanding. She said it’s part of the group’s mission to promote patriotism, and supporting veterans and promoting our shared history are invaluable for Utica residents.

Mayor Palmieri said: “We can never do enough to honor veterans. The City of Utica is proud to join forces with local businesses and organizations to honor those who have sacrificed to protect everything we hold dear. I’m proud the program has been well received and I’m excited that this expansion is going to allow us to honor more veterans”

Vice President of NYSCOBA John Harmon said: “As a veteran and Vice President of NYSCOBA that has thousands of proud veterans within our organization, NYSCOBA is honored to partner with Utica and DAR to help expand this amazing opportunity to acknowledge the sacrifices of our Armed Forces heroes.”