Hero Banner project progressing, with 10 in works, more orders expected

Sean C. Morgan

Jim and Lisa Gourley are moving forward with their effort to hang at least 50 Hero Banners along Main Street by Memorial Day.

“We have about 10 of them in process, that are being made at this time,” Jim Gourley said. They have had about 30 commitments to purchase Hero Banners.

The Sweet Home’s city Community Health Committee started the project last fall, offering street banners to honor those who are serving or have served in the military and police officers and firefi ghters who have fallen in the line of duty.

The banners will hang on power poles along Main Street and, as needed, along Long Street from Memorial Day to Veteran’s Day, the same way Christmas decorations are displayed each year. The project is a partnership with the Elks Lodge and the Veterans of Foreign Wars. The Hero Banners will be displayed along Main Street from Memorial Day to Veterans Day.

People may apply to have a banner made to honor Sweet Home veterans and their service to the United States of America. The cost is $75, which covers the banners and hardware necessary to hang them.

At this point, the Gourleys just have to push to get everything from the remaining commitments in, Lisa Gourley said. They need to be ready to go by May, and it takes a little while to get the banners made.

She stressed that she needs photos with applications. The Gourleys have received several applications without photos.

Each banner will bear a photo of the veteran.

The banner will be marked with a color-coded star and additional information about veterans. A white star will signal a veteran. A gold star will denote a veteran killed in action. A blue star will show a person serving on active duty.

Additional markings will show those who were prisoners of war, missing in action and more information.

They plan to publicize the program outside the Chamber of Commerce, she said.

“We have ordered a smaller banner. We’re going to go ahead and hang it up to remind people that hero applications are available at the chamber.”

Jim Gourley also would like to prepare two additional banners, one at each end of Main saying, “Welcome to Sweet Home. We support our local heroes.”

“We have 60 brackets that fit our needs,” Lisa Gourley said.

“That’s why our goal is 50 for the banners,” Jim Gourley said.

Funding from the banner program will help them purchase additional brackets allowing them eventually to hang more than 100 banners.

Some people and businesses have committed to pay for a banner but didn’t submit a veteran to be honored, Lisa Gourley said. Those funds could be used to pay for banners for veterans in cases where an applicant cannot afford the banner.

She said she also is planning to pursue a grant to pay for additional banners and brackets.

“Our community needs to celebrate those people who have stepped up to the plate over the years,” she said.

Jim Gourley noted that two signs designating Highway 20 as the Medal of Honor Highway were placed recently at Shea Point.

“All this stuff coming together shows three things,” he said. “No. 1, it shows the community supports each other. No. 2, it brings the community focus on an issue.

“This helps re-energize that sense of togetherness,” Lisa Gourley said.

To be eligible for display on a banner, the veteran must be someone who lived or lives within the Sweet Home School District.

Also eligible are law enforcement and fire personnel who have died in the line of duty.

A copy of the veteran’s DD-214 is required to protect against “stolen valor.”

Information on the document will remain confidential, Lisa Gourley said.

ID from a veterans group that requires a DD-214 may be substituted, Jim Gourley said. Military ID also is acceptable.

“We’re being as flexible as possible with it, really,” Lisa Gourley said, but they need to protect the integrity and credibility of the program by ensuring that those who are honored are legitimate veterans.

Applications are available at the Chamber of Commerce, the Veterans Club, Key Bank and City Hall. The form is available on the city’s website, ci.sweet-home.or.us: Click on “How Do I?” and then “Sponsor a Hero Banner.”

An application and further information is available by calling Jim Gourley at (541) 206-9544 or Lisa Gourley at (541) 974-3457.

Total
0
Share