Rockaway Township Launches Banner Program to Honor Local Service Members

A new initiative will celebrate both past and present military personnel with personalized banners throughout the township.

In a touching tribute to those who have served, Rockaway Township has introduced the Hometown Heroes Banner Program. This initiative is designed to honor local military members and their families by displaying banners that feature a Veteran's photograph, name, service branch, and service period. The Township retains control over the banner's final content, ensuring each piece is a respectful homage to its service members.

The program kicks off with a partnership with Tilcon, allowing the first 20 banners to be produced free of charge for veterans and their families. The locations for these banners will be decided in the future, with each application being evaluated by a committee based on the order they are received. Successful applicants will be contacted for further instructions.

To be eligible for this honor, nominees must have been Rockaway Township residents for at least ten years and need to provide proof of residency, such as a utility bill, property tax bill, or bank statement. Additionally, they must be currently serving or have served in the U.S. Army, Navy, Marines, Air Force, Army National Guard, Air National Guard, U.S. Coast Guard, U.S. Merchant Marine, or Women Air Force Service Pilots, and must have been honorably discharged—as verified by discharge papers.

Residents interested in nominating a veteran for this tribute are encouraged to fill out the provided application form and submit it by mail or in person to the program's coordinator. As the Hometown Heroes Banner Program expands, further details regarding the costs and continuation of the program will be announced, promising ongoing recognition for the valor and sacrifice of Rockaway’s military community.