Now Honoring 13 Veterans

Dateline: July 26, 2023

"The Star Spangled Banner"       The United States Army Band

"We are up to 13 banners now." That's what Matthew Wieczhalek-Seiler told me in a recent phone conversation. We were talking about the Hometown Hero Banners that are on display along School Street in Allenstown.

Matthew is the head of Concord for Hometown Heroes Banners LLC, a patriotic, not-for-profit, New Hampshire organization that offers a way for families and friends to pay tribute to and honor their loved ones who have served in our nation's military. He has collaborated for several years now with the Allenstown Economic Development Committee (EDC) to create the distinctive 48 x 24 inch full color pole banners that are sponsored by relatives and friends of our veterans.

For example, the banner to the right, installed in October 2021, honors Captain George Gordon, the oldest Allenstown veteran we know of, who enlisted in the Union Army in 1861 at age 27, fought in the Civil War, and died in combat in 1864.

The next photo offers a view of the banners currently on display on School St.

Eligibility

As for eligibility, the honored veteran must have served in the United States Armed Forces, may be a living or deceased resident of the town, or a relative or friend of a resident of the town. This will allow for the broadest number of local veterans to be honored.

Banner Details

The banners are digitally printed on 8 ft. x 2 ft vinyl fabric using UV stable inks, then folded and double stitched into a double-sided 4 ft. x 2 ft. finished size with fabric loops stitched at top and bottom for hanging on special pole brackets. The photo you supply is enlarged to an impressive 24 x 26 inches.

The banner can also include images of Meritorious Awards, like the Purple Heart or Bronze Star, that were bestowed upon the service member. Gold Star pins can be included if the ultimate sacrifice was made for a grateful nation.

Fee for Sponsors

Starting in 2023 due to increased costs of materials and processing, the fee to sponsor a banner is $225.00 for a single photo banner (same veteran on both sides). This includes:

• The banner's design and manufacture.
• A three-year warranty against failure or damage.
• Three years of Spring installation, Fall de-installation, cleaning, and winter storage.

For a fee of $295.00, you can sponsor a banner for two veterans, one on each side of the banner. The same benefits are included.

Due to rising costs, a $25 yearly install/uninstall fee will be charged at the start of the 4th year of display. Note that restrictions set by Eversource limit banner display from May through November.

Display Details

After the EDC receives permission from the local electric utility to use its poles, the banners are installed on or before Memorial Day and remain on display until after Veteran's Day, a span of a little more than six months.

Banners are being installed along School St. since it is the main entrance into the center of town. It is hoped that this becomes Allenstown's Avenues of Hometown Heroes.

What You Can Do

As a symbol of love and respect for your favorite veteran, consider sponsoring a Hometown Hero Banner. Instead of a name in small print on a plaque or stone monument on the side of a local street, you can create a large banner with a color photo of your veteran, details about branch of service, era of service, and your name as the sponsor, for all the world to see and maybe salute as they go by.

You must first contact the EDC to inform them of your interest in the program. A representative will send you the information to get started.

 economicdevelopment@allenstownnh.gov

The EDC will help you get in touch with the Hometown Heroes organization, and be your liaison to make sure you are satisfied with the finished banner and that its installation is done in a timely manner.