Whether you are driving, cycling or walking along the streets of Columbia, you'll find visual representations of the town's history just by looking up. Volunteer Bob Smith reported that he often receives glowing feedback on these visuals, Hometown Heroes banners, as he hangs them throughout Columbia.
The banners offer a way for the community to honor those who have served in the military. The project, coordinated by the Columbia VFW Post 2435 and the Borough of Columbia, has resulted in orders of more than 520 banners since it began last summer.
Orders are still being taken for the banners, but now organizers are limiting deadlines for orders to twice a year going forward. Starting in 2024, orders received by Wednesday, Jan. 31, will be hung in the spring, and orders received by Sunday, June 30, will be hung in early fall.
"In the beginning, we were ordering banners every two weeks," said Robin Gamby, who is helping to coordinate the project. "We still have orders coming in." Dividing the upcoming year into two timeframes will help Smith and Borough employees who volunteer to hang the banners in their free time.
It's a project that's close to Smith's heart. An Air Force veteran who served in Vietnam, Smith was inspired to start the banner project after seeing similar tributes in towns surrounding Columbia. He wasn't sure how it would be received locally, but he's been very happy with the response. "I love it," he said. "It makes me feel good that we have so many orders." Hanging the banners has also brought up memories of growing up in Columbia for Smith, who is a lifelong resident of the town.
"It's been neat to see names of people I recognize," he said, "and then to realize, 'I didn't know they served.'"
Gamby noted that the committee members worked closely with the Marietta American Legion, which offered advice and support on the project since that organization had coordinated a similar effort. "They helped us a lot," she said. "We're really grateful to them."
Banners are two sided and include the name of the honoree, along with the military branch they served in, their rank and their wartime service, if applicable. Each also includes a photo. Banners are available for any veteran, active-duty, retired or deceased man or woman who served or serves in any branch of the military and who was born, was raised, lived or worked in Columbia.
People can request where they'd like the banner to be displayed - anywhere in downtown Columbia or even near their home if it's in the borough. "We do our best to accommodate their request," Smith said.
To order a banner, email ColumbiaHometownHeroes@gmail.com or stop in at the Columbia VFW, Fourth and Manor streets; Smith's Hotel, 1030 Lancaster Ave., Columbia; or Mountz & Kreiser Law Office, 553 Locust St., Columbia. More information can also be found by searching for "Columbia Hometown Heroes" on Facebook.
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