Plain City is partnering with the local American Legion to create a new program to honor village veterans.
The village is launching a Military Heroes Banner Program, through which banners featuring local servicemembers will be displayed in the Uptown during “patriotic holidays” like Memorial Day and Veterans Day.
Military organizations or immediate family members can apply to recognize a veteran with a full-color, double-sided banner featuring the servicemember’s name, photo, branch of service and years of service, Development Director Jason Stanford explained.
The banners will be installed on light poles in the Uptown district, then given to the family after one year.
Stanford noted that there are only about 19 light poles available, although more could be added during Uptown streetscape improvements.
Council President Michael Terry asked how the village will determine whose applications to accept given that there are a limited number that can be displayed.
“Who is determining who is the most deserving of all the deserving people?” he asked.
Stanford said American Legion Post 248 will review all applications, so those decisions will be left to individuals with more military expertise than village staff may have.
Council member Tyler Harriman, who helped kickstart the program, noted that neither him or Stanford served in the military, so they wanted to ensure veterans were consulted throughout the process.
“We really wanted our veterans to be involved with this,” Harriman said.
Stanford said the goal is to receive as many applications as possible by a deadline of April 30, in order to allow the necessary time to print banners and display them for Memorial Day.
He said he is anticipating enough applications to fill the first two years of the program but cannot say for certain how many the village will receive.
However, Stanford said there likely wouldn’t be “renewal” option that allowed banners to stay up for back-to-back years.
Harriman said they want to be able to honor as many veterans as possible and, for those who are older, any more than a one year wait could be “significant.”
Stanford also said the banners will be displayed around Memorial Day and Veterans Day over a one-year span in order to ensure there is not too much wear and tear, especially due to sun damage.
Stanford said it costs approximately $68 to print the 18-inch by 36-inch banners, so the applicants who are accepted will be required to pay a $75 fee that includes the printing, hanging and removal of the banner. The banners will be returned to the applicants at the end of the display period.
The application is available on Plain City’s website, www.plain-city.com/residents/military.php or at the Plain City Municipal Building, 800 Village Blvd.
Along with the application, individuals are required to submit verification of the military status of the honoree, a DD-214 or NGB-22 with the Social Security Number blacked out or a copy of the veteran’s ID card.
Eligible individuals must be veterans of the active duty or reserve components of the U.S. Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, Coast Guard or Space Force.
Applicants are asked to submit a photo of the honoree that is portrait orientation and at least 5-inches by 7-inches or, if submitted electronically, 300 dpi.
Stanford said he understands that older photos may be a lesser quality given the available technology at the time, so village staff are going to do the best they can to accurately replicate images on the banner.
Applications and verification documents should be submitted at the Municipal Building.
Council members unanimously approved the program, adding that they are looking forward to putting it into practice.
“I can’t wait to have those banners up,” Council member James Sintz said.
Those with additional questions may call (614) 873-3527.