Jill's Journal: Hometown Hero banners to wave soon

There are some projects that simply make a community better. Not because they build a new road, attract a new business, or add another event to the calendar. They make a community better because they remind us who we are and what we value.

Brandon’s new Hometown Heroes banner program is one of those projects.

Supported by Three Rivers VFW Post 4726 and the Ed Polzine Fund, our Hometown Heroes project received an enthusiastic response. In the initial round, 34 banners were ordered. And, if all goes according to plan, those banners will be displayed on light posts along Holly Boulevard by the Fourth of July – a fitting time to honor the men and women who have served or are serving our country.

Community response has been overwhelmingly positive. Family members and friends of these initial 34 Hometown Heroes have been filled with appreciation, excitement, and gratitude. People are eager to see the faces and names of local veterans recognized in such a visible and meaningful way.

I understand those feelings.

As the daughter of a veteran, this project touches my heart in a very personal way. Like so many military families, ours understood that service often comes with sacrifice. And when my Dad was diagnosed with a Glioblastoma brain tumor, were oh, so thankful for the support he received from the Veteran’s Adminisration.

Veterans don’t typically seek recognition. They answer a call to serve and then return home to live their lives, work their jobs, raise their families, and contribute quietly to their communities.

Yet their service deserves to be remembered.

And that is what makes our town’s Hometown Heroes banners so special. Each banner tells a story. Behind every photograph is a life marked by duty, commitment, and sacrifice. Some of those veterans served during wartime. Others served during times of peace. All answered a call greater than themselves.

In the weeks to come, as we drive or take a stroll along Holly Boulevard, we will be greeted by those stories. Children will ask questions about the men and women on the banners. Families will point out fathers, mothers, grandparents, siblings, and friends. Veterans will see fellow service members honored. Conversations will begin, and memories will be shared.

That is how history stays alive.

The timing of this project could not be more appropriate. As our country’s 250th Independence Day approaches, many will celebrate with parades, fireworks, and gatherings with family and friends. Those traditions are important. But they should also serve as reminders that the freedoms we enjoy were secured and protected by generations of Americans willing to serve.

The Hometown Heroes banners will serve as a visible reminder of that truth.

This Fourth of July, as the first banners line Holly Boulevard, I hope we all take a moment to look up, read the names, and remember the stories they represent.

Our hometown heroes deserve nothing less.

If you missed the June 1 deadline for the Hometown Heroes Banner program, there is another opportunity to purchase banners. Application forms are available at the Brandon VFW, 321 S. Main Ave., or the Brandon Valley Journal, 1404 E. Cedar St. The cost per banner is $150, and the Ed Polzine Fund is covering the remaining costs. The next deadline is Aug. 1.

The banners will remain on display at least through Veteran’s Day.