Banners for Veterans Program Continues to Expand

County Executive Anthony J. Picente Jr. announced today that the Mohawk Valley Hometown Heroes banners for veterans program is expanding to more Oneida County communities and will begin taking submissions Feb. 1.

This year, banners honoring veterans will now be hung in the Town of Verona and its Hamlets of Durhamville, New London and Verona Beach, as well is in the Hamlet of Unadilla Forks in Otsego County.

“The Hometown Heroes program is a great way for families and friends to honor loved ones who have courageously served this country and for Oneida County to show its appreciation for the veterans who have resided here,” Picente said. “I am happy to see the Town of Verona joining the communities that are already flying these inspiring banners and I hope more will do the same. I encourage everyone whose life has been touched by a veteran to join me in ordering your banner beginning Feb.1.”

The Mohawk Valley Hometown Heroes banner program began in January 2022, when Mischael McKenna, a member of the Oneida Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution, formed a committee with Trena DeFranco, Regent of the Oneida Chapter NSDAR; Tom Buono, of the Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 944 and Joe Fraccola of the Military Order of the Purple Heart Chapter 490. 

In its inaugural year, approximately 200 banners were hung along the Memorial Parkway in Utica. Last year, the program expanded to the towns of Whitestown, Paris and Bridgewater, the Village of Waterville and the Hamlet of Sauquoit, as well as the Village of West Winfield in Herkimer County. The City of Rome, the Town and Village of New Hartford and the villages of Whitesboro and Yorkville are also part of the program. A total of 1,363 banners were hung across all locations in 2024.

“Each year for the past three years, we have been overwhelmed and thrilled with the response from the community, and the feedback and stories we hear are arguably even better,” McKenna said. “We are looking forward to this year as we continue to expand the program.”  

“The phrase ‘all gave some, some gave all’ is often heard when speaking of the more than 1.1 million Americans who have given their lives to help keep America safe and free,” said Verona Town Supervisor Scott Musacchio. “The Town of Verona along with Oneida County and our neighboring communities would like to honor those courageous men and women by participating in the Hometown Heroes banner program. The program is a living tribute for our community to honor past and present members of the Armed Forces.”

Each banner features the name, military branch, rank and years of service/war served, along with a photo of the veteran. The veteran honored can be living or deceased. The cost to purchase a 30-inch X 60-inch banner is $150. Banners will be displayed from Memorial Day to Veterans Day for three years. After the three-year term is up, the banners are returned to the buyer and new ones must be purchased. Banners are only available in the participating areas.

Submissions will be taken at the program’s website from February 1 to March 21, 2025.

Mohawk Valley Hometown Heroes is sponsored by the New York State Correctional Officers and Police Benevolent Association.

You can view the press conference announcement here.