By JAN McLAUGHLIN
BG Independent News
Veterans who hailed from Bowling Green will soon be honored with banners along city streets.
The Hometown Heroes Veterans Banner Project is coming together due to teamwork of a community organization, a local family and city government. The final piece will involve local residents, who may submit military photos and information on their loved ones who served.
The project was introduced Thursday afternoon by Marcia Latta, president of the Bowling Green Community Foundation, which is celebrating its 30th year of making the community a better place.
The BGCF approached city officials and the Al and Mary Green family to see if there was interest.
“This is a project that can help reflect the true nature of Bowling Green,” said Mayor Mike Aspacher, whose grandfather, uncle and cousin served in the military. “This will allow us to appropriately reflect our appreciation to those who served.”
City employees are working to equip light poles with the right hardware for the banners.
“We had our eyes on other communities who have banners,” said Amanda Gamby, city communications director.
So when the BGCF offered support and a nudge, the city jumped on board.
“This is great. They tackled it head on,” Gamby said. “We’re thrilled to be partnering with the community foundation and excited they took the first step toward this project.”
The community foundation also approached the Green family, who offered $8,000 to make the veterans banners project happen.
“We try to do stuff for the community,” said Al Green, whose brother, Fred, served in Vietnam, and whose four uncles served in World War II.
“It’s a wonderful leadership gift toward launching this project and defraying the costs for families,” Latta said. “Both Al and Mary were 110% supportive.”
The banners will be displayed on light poles in the downtown area, surrounding Wooster Green, plus in City Park and Carter Park.
“We’re expecting this to be so successful that we’ll quickly outpace the downtown poles,” Gamby said.
Latta said she first saw the veterans banners about a dozen years ago when in Yorba Linda, California.
“I was just struck by it,” she said, adding that since then she has seen several other communities in this region post banners for their veterans.
“It struck me this would be a great project for the Bowling Green Community Foundation,” especially on its 30th anniversary, Latta said.
“We exist for the betterment of the community,” she said. “It seemed to be a direct fit with the mission. It’s a wonderful lasting tribute to people who have served to protect our way of life.”
“It allows everyone in the community to benefit, and pay tribute to their loved ones,” she said. “We’re going to make it a reality.”
Latta is hopeful that the first wave of banners will be posted in time for Memorial Day – but certainly by July 4. City crews will post them on light poles.
PROGRAM INFORMATION
The Hometown Heroes Banner Program is a community pride program intended to salute the men and women who are currently serving and those who previously served in the military. The program will feature the individual’s military photo on a full-color cloth banner to be suspended from certain light poles located within the public right-of-way throughout the City of Bowling Green. The banners will be displayed beginning this summer.
There are a limited number of poles designated for the Hometown Heroes Banner Program. Reservations for space will be offered on a first-come, first-serve basis to the first 172 applicants during the application cycle. Once the program is full for the 2024 cycle, applicants must wait for the next application cycle.
ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS
The service member must be active duty or a veteran with an honorable discharge and a current or former resident within the BG zip code of 43402 for a minimum of four years or attended school through the Bowling Green City Schools District for a minimum of four years.
For the purposes of this program, “armed forces” are defined as meaning the U.S. Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, Coast Guard and Space Force. Also, “active duty” is defined as full-time active military service to the U.S. Those serving in the Reserves or National Guard may also be honored.
BANNER SPECIFICATIONS
The banners will measure 30-by-60 inches and feature a full-color, one-sided design with the service member’s name, military branch, dates served, honors received (if applicable) and military photo (to be provided by the applicant).
Banner information, including the spelling of service member’s name will be taken directly from the application.
APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS AND REVIEW PROCESS
There will be three different ways to complete the application:
In person – Three opportunities will be offered to meet with representatives from the BGCF who will help you complete the application, scan the military photo you bring with you, and take your check for your portion of the banner.
- March 6, from 5 to 8 p.m., at the Wood County District Public Library, 251 N. Main St.
- March 13, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., at the Wood County Senior Center, 140 S. Grove St.
- March 16, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., at the Wood County District Public Library.
Online – Submit your application and photo online by completing the online application at this link https://4ekyrybgbii.typeform.com/to/Ms5fTEtg. After completing the application, there will be a link to make a credit card payment on PayPal. Use the bottom button on the PayPal link for credit card if you don’t want to use PayPal.
By mail – Download the PDF application form at 2024 Hometown Heroes Application 2.27.2024 Final.docx, print the form, complete and sign the form, and send it by US Mail with a check to BGCF, PO Box 1175, Bowling Green, OH 43402. Please e-mail the photo (at least 300 DPI) to bgcf@bgohcf.org. On the email, you need to indicate the veteran’s name.
Completed applications will be accepted from March 1 to April 12. The BGCF will receive and review applications for completeness during the application period. Upon a determination that the application is incomplete, the applicant will be notified and asked to submit the missing information.
Applicants must provide a high-resolution military photograph (digital file or photograph) of the service member dressed in military uniform or from the time in military service. The photo should be portrait orientation and at least 300 DPI. If a photo submitted online does not meet this requirement the applicant will be contacted and the BGCF will try to help make arrangements to have the photo scanned at a convenient location.
Banners will cost $80 to the applicant which includes design, printing, hanging and removal of banners. The Bowling Green Community Foundation along with a donation from the A.A. Green Family Fund will be adding additional funds toward the cost of the banner. Assistance is available with this cost if needed (see application).
The Bowling Green Community Foundation will sponsor and waive the banner fee for any nomination that is submitted on behalf of local military personnel who were killed in action, missing in action, or prisoners of war. In celebration of BGCF’s 30th anniversary, a smaller 12-inch by 18-inch vinyl banner with grommets for hanging with the same design as the large canvas banner will be given as a gift to each applicant to display it on the occasion of patriotic celebrations (4th of July, Veterans Day, etc.) to show community recognition and support of those who have served our nation. Applicants will be notified via email regarding pick-up times and locations.
SPONSORSHIP AND DONATIONS
Donations from individuals or businesses are welcome, and will go toward the purchase of banners, hardware, and related costs in support of the program through a gift to the Bowling Green Community Foundation. All donated funds are considered tax deductible. These donations will be used exclusively for the Hometown Heroes Military Banner Program. You can send a check to BGCF, P.O. Box 1175, Bowling Green, OH 43420. Add Hometown Heroes Program to the memo line. A letter will be sent to you acknowledging the donation for your records.
OVERSIGHT AND ADMINISTRATION
The Bowling Green Community Foundation will oversee and administer the Bowling Green Hometown Heroes Banner program including, but not limited to photo approvals, application guidelines and processing, fee structure, and program policy. The City of Bowling Green will oversee designated banner-hanging zones along with hanging the banners. There are a limited number of poles in Bowling Green. At Bowling Green City’s discretion, pole banners may be relocated to other areas of Bowling Green. The city is unable to take special requests regarding an individual’s preferred banner location.
QUESTIONS
Any questions regarding the BG Hometown Heroes program should be addressed by e-mail to bgcf@bgohcf.org or call 419-352-0281 and your call will be returned in a short period of time.
