The Bowling Green Community Foundation, in coordination with the City of Bowling Green, is unveiling 64 new banners honoring military veterans and currently serving soldiers and sailors. These banners, in addition to the 164 individuals honored last year, will be hung in time for the Memorial Day weekend.
The newest banners will be hung in various locations throughout the downtown area including North and South Main streets, East and West Wooster streets, and along Court Street. A GIS system (available at https://bgohcf.org/hometownheroesgisprogram) has been developed that allows people to find the exact location of those being honored and also to learn a little more about each individual, including military branch, time of service, and in many cases, a few insights regarding their time in the military.
Information about the BG Hometown Heroes Program is available at the community foundation website at https://bgohcf.org.
Among those being honored in the new class of banners are former Bowling Green mayors Bruce Bellard and Alvin Perkins, a father-son combination of G. Todd Spencer and Gary Spencer, and a World War I veteran, Lloyd McCreary.
The Bowling Green Community Foundation began the Hometown Heroes banners in the city last year to mark its 30th anniversary. A lead gift from the A.A. Green Family, along with donations from many other individuals and organizations to the BGCF has helped to defray the expenses of the banners. All those applying for a banner also receive a mini banner they can hang at their home in honor of their loved one.
The banners have been very well received by local citizens. Sherry Layman, who is sponsoring a banner in honor of a family member this year, said, “I’d like to thank the Community Foundation for getting this project off the ground. I love a morning walk through the City Park when all the banners are up. It’s good to take a moment to reflect on the sacrifices so many have made on behalf of us all.”
