Powell City Council on Tuesday, Sept. 15, approved a Hometown Heroes banner program that will display commemorative flags honoring military service members on 43 utility poles downtown.

The program, established through Resolution 2026-53, allows up to 86 banners across the poles. Each banner will show a service member's photo, name and branch of service. The first banners will go up in spring 2027, Delaware Source reported.

Banners will hang during two windows each year: from seven days before Armed Forces Day through seven days after Memorial Day, and from seven days before Veterans Day through seven days after that holiday.

The Powell Development Committee reviewed the program policy on Sept. 1 before sending it to the full council, according to the committee's agenda.

Countywide effort

The banner program is a countywide initiative coordinated by the Delaware County Veterans Service Office.

Sunbury, Ashley and Radnor also participate.

Powell's role is limited to installing and removing banners and accepting applications at City Hall, 47 Hall St. The Powell Veterans Advisory Committee, chaired by former Mayor Jon Bennehoof, will handle outreach, review applications and maintain records on a rolling basis.

Once an application clears the committee, it and the $115 fee go to the Veterans Service Office, which orders the banner and returns it to the committee.

How to apply

Veterans, current service members or their family members can apply. Applicants must submit at least 60 days before a display window.

Eligibility requires the honoree to be a current or former member of the U.S. Armed Forces with a substantial connection to Powell. Former service members must have been honorably discharged. Honorees must be current or former Powell residents or have another substantial community tie.

Applications require the honoree's discharge document (DD-214) if applicable, a photograph and a $115 payment to the Veterans Service Office's designated vendor.

If accepted, a banner stays up for up to two consecutive years. After that, the applicant can renew or have the banner returned. If more than 83 applications come in, the committee will select on a first-come, first-served basis.

This program is separate from the "Unmarked but Unforgotten" veterans memorial at Powell Cemetery, which the council authorized July 21 through an intergovernmental agreement with the Delaware County Veterans Service Commission.

Residents with questions can contact Veterans Service Office Enrichment and Outreach Coordinator Kim Gilley at [email protected] or 740-833-2051.