REDLANDS >> The city’s Hometown Heroes Banner Program is looking for a few more good men and women.
The organizers are once again accepting applications from families to recognize loved ones in the military.
“The Redlanders who serve our country are important to us,” said Mayor Paul Foster. “We hope their families will apply to get a Hometown Heroes banner. We believe that’s our community way to honor each one of them.”
When the program was launched in 2011, applications came pouring in. But as it continued, applications seemed to dwindle. Elizabeth Marin, the city’s volunteer resource coordinator, is looking to change that.
“2011-12 was one of the biggest years for the program because it just had launched. The community was really excited and happy to have that program, and it’s something that the families that had people who are serving were really passionate about. But this year we have only four applications in... and our goal is to bring the program back up to promote more recognition of our military who are serving,” she said.
Banners are $175 a piece and will remain up for at least a year. Banners are then retired.
Families with military personnel still in active duty have the option to see their banners stay up.
Weather torn and faded banners on the verge of retirement can be replaced, reprinted and rehung for another year or two at $75 a piece. The decision to replace banners once retired are at the discretion of each family.
“It brings a lot of joy to the community seeing that the banners are up,” Marin said.
Applications can be downloaded at the city’s website at cityofredlands.org or picked up at City Hall, 35 Cajon St.
Each applicant must also include a copy of verification that they are a resident of Redlands.
Retired banners will be returned to families during a special service in City Council Chambers. Two retirement services are planned to accommodate the number of banners that are being retired next month. They are scheduled for July 7 and 21, Marin said.
To learn more about the program, contact Marin at 909-798-7540 or the City Clerk’s Office at 909-798-7531