The Bethel Patriotic Association, with the support of the Town of Bethel, is offering for the second year the popular Hometown Heroes Banner Program. This program proudly recognizes active duty and veteran service members who have been honorably discharged, both living and deceased. Each banner honors a specific Bethel service member whether a current or past resident of the town and features his or her name, rank, branch of service, era of service (WWI, WWII, Vietnam, etc.), photo, and donor information (optional). Banners will be digitally printed on 18” x 36” 18 oz. blockout scrim vinyl (most durable and stable vinyl in the industry), printed the same on both sides and will be displayed on town owned lampposts along School Street in front of the Clifford J. Hurgin Municipal Center.

All orders must be received by March 1st to allow time for printing and installation by Memorial Day. Banners will cost $140 for one year or $200 for two years and will be displayed from Memorial Day to Veterans Day at which time they will be removed and placed in storage for the winter months. Banners that have been displayed after the one year or two year period may be returned to the donor at their request. Banners that have not been returned to the donor become the property of the Bethel Patriotic Association and may be used for promotional purposes.

Applications will be taken on a first come, first serve basis. If the maximum banner capacity is reached, applicants will be placed on a list for their banner to be displayed the following year. Requests for a specific display location on School Street will not be accepted. The Bethel Patriotic Association will determine placement of the banners.

The Bethel Patriotic Association is not responsible for replacing banners that are stolen, damaged, or destroyed due to age, vandalism, or any acts of nature, including high winds. Any loss or damage to an installed banner will be handled at the discretion of the Bethel Patriotic Association.

The application can be downloaded by visiting the website www.bethelhometownheroes.org or by stopping in at the First Selectman's Office at the Bethel Town Hall. Applications require the filled out form, a photograph copy of the hero preferably in military uniform, proof of honorable discharge, photo release acknowledgement and a check for $140 or $200, which will cover the printing and installation costs. Even if you were not honoring a veteran, donations to support this effort would be welcomed to help offset costs.

The application form, photograph copy of the hero preferably in military uniform, proof of honorable discharge, photo release acknowledgement and check made out to the Town of Bethel (please add "Bethel Hometown Heroes" in the memo line) must be submitted together and mailed to: Town of Bethel, Clifford J. Hurgin Municipal Center, 1 School Street, Bethel, CT 06801. Profits from the program will be used to help support the mission of the Bethel Patriotic Association.