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Many would agree that honoring U.S. military veterans is a worthy endeavor.
Toward that end, Lycoming County Hometown Heroes has done its part, displaying banners along streets of Williamsport for those who have served.
Mike McMunn, director of Lycoming County Veterans Affairs, said it's nearing the time once again for new banners honoring veterans who might not have yet been recognized to appear along Via Bella and Mulberry Street.
"We are in the process of having them done now," he said. "The old ones will come down in October. The new ones stay up for a year."
McMunn said he'd love to see all of the city's downtown streets lined with the banners.
Banners can be purchased for $210.
The banners are done by KBF Print Technology, Williamsport.
Sadly, McMunn reported that the request for banners has fallen off in the past few years.
He is hoping veterans groups and other
organizations step up to recognize more people who served in the military.
"Once we take the old ones down, they are washed and rolled up and returned to the veteran or the sponsor," he said.
A dedication ceremony is annually held to honor the retired banners and to recognize the new ones for veterans.
Requests for new banners are being taken now at Lycoming County Veterans Affairs, 330 Pine St., Suite 401, Williamsport, Pa. 17701. The deadline is Sept. 2.
Money raised for the banner program by Hometown Heroes goes right back to veterans.
"We have a volunteer board," McMunn said. "They are in charge of finances and banner design."
McMunn explained that many requests come to his office for veterans in need of financial assistance such as a payment for rent or a water bill.
A water bill or rental payments are just a couple of examples, he noted.
"We can step in and pay. They can come here and fill out an application. We document the need," he said. "A lot of times, they have no place else to turn."