Our Mission
Our project started as a Somerset County Leadership initiative with a clear mission: to cultivate a sustainable community endeavor. With a shared passion for our military roots—many of us having military family ties—the vision for the Banner Project emerged in late 2023, and by spring of 2024, our first installation became a reality.
Beyond the logistics and planning, this journey has fostered deep friendships among us. It's been a privilege to create a space where our community heroes are celebrated—a place where we can pause, smile, and take pride in calling home a community that honors its military legacy. Through the Banner Project, we not only commemorate our history but also strengthen the bonds that unite us all.
Somerset Hometown Hero Project Banners
What sets our project apart from neighboring towns are our life-size banners. Standing at aprox 6 feet tall, these banners prominently display a clear photo, name, rank, and dates of service of our honored military heroes. Some banners even feature the medals earned by these brave individuals. From Armed Forces Day in May through September 11 each year, these banners grace our streets, serving as a tribute to our community's veterans and active-duty personnel.
To ensure their longevity, the banners are carefully taken down during winter months, undergo thorough cleaning, and are meticulously stored. This preservation process aims to extend their lifespan to an estimated 5-7 years. Included in the cost of each banner are the necessary brackets for secure display, ensuring that our heroes' legacies are honored with dignity and respect throughout the year.
Locations
The banner project originally launched on West Main Street (near CVS) and now extends to East Main Street, reaching the funeral home. It also covers North Center Street, starting at the hospital and stretching to Highland Harley Davidson. Our latest expansion includes banners along Patriot Street. While the spacing of our poles isn't uniform and not all are suitable for hanging banners, we are grateful for the borough's support in extending this initiative to additional streets.
