HOMETOWN HEROES RECOGNITION PROGRAM Presented to Hopewell City

HOMETOWN HEROES RECOGNITION PROGRAM Presented to Hopewell City Council April 10, 2018 American Legion Post 146

One of the American Legion’s primary missions is to “continue serving” in the local community Post 146 also supports the Hopewell Police Department and Sheriff’s Office; Carter-Woodson Middle School, the Jr. ROTC Program at Hopewell High School, and provides scholarship opportunities for high schoolers to attend the American Legion-sponsored Boys’ State, Girls’ State, and State Police Youth Cadet Law Enforcement Programs

The Hometown Heroes Recognition Program has three distinct goals Recognize military veterans for their service and sacrifice Raise awareness of the number of local community members who have served in the military Increase civic pride and community identity

The Banner design incorporates specific information from the donor Size: 18” x 45” on a Standard Background The Veteran’s photo, name, branch of service and service dates Service Member Photo or conflict in which Service Member’s Name, they served are Branch of Service and submitted by the Dates of Service or donor Conflict The City is NOT responsible for the quality of the Banner Donor photograph Program Sponsors (American Legion and VFW)

Banners are purchased at cost – $100 each The donor may also elect to indicate whether the Veteran was: Killed in Action (KIA) Missing in Action (MIA) Prisoner of War (POW) Service Member Photo Service Member’s Name, Branch of Service and Dates of Service or Conflict Banner Donor Program Sponsors (American Legion and VFW)

The City controls and maintains the banners while in use • The City selects the time period for displaying the Banners • Display location for each and all banners is at the City’s discretion. • The City is responsible for: − damages while displayed − cleaning after use − storage

Banners are on loan from the donor, but the City controls them • Banners remain in the City’s possession for the duration of the program • Donors may request the banner be returned to them 10 days before or 10 days after announced display dates • If the program is discontinued, the Banner may be picked-up by its donor at City Hall or another specified location • Extra banners may be purchased

Banner information is gathered using donor-completed forms

The city’s website links to the application form HOMETOWN HEROES RECOGNITION PROGRAM Application form available HERE Page Contains • Program Information • Example photos • Link to Application Form (pdf format) • Frequently Asked Questions

Initially, Banners are displayed on streets equipped with poles & hangers Lib ry ra St W Cawson St Possible Initial installation area Streets for Consideration Broadway Ave Ü BROADWAY LIBRARY Ü CAWSON MAIN W. RANDOLPH APPOMATTOX

As this program will benefit the City and its citizens, recommend that: • the City Council approve and implement the Hometown Heroes Recognition Program • the Program begin not later than end of April and close on Friday, June 1 st with an implementation date of Saturday, June 30 th • the City receive and process completed application forms and coordinate the return of any banner to its respective donor • the Neighborhood Assistance and Planning Dept. receive applications, order/receive new banners, and account for all funds associated with the program • the Public Works Dept. hang, maintain, and store banners

This example banner honors a Hopewell Medal of Honor winner Robert Penn, USN, Fireman 2 nd Class Awarded for conspicuous gallantry on July 20, 1898 while serving aboard the USS Iowa (BB-4). Hearing an explosion in the engine room, Penn first saved a badly injured coal-passer, blinded by steam with both feet scalded and about to collapse, by pulling him from the sea of boiling water that swept the floor of the boiler room, and carried him to safety. Then braving fire, steam, and boiling water, and disregarding his own safety, Penn crossed the boiling water on a make-shift bridge and pulled fires from two boilers which would have exploded had the water reached them. Disregarding his own safety, Penn’s quick action saved an injured sailor, his ship and the entire crew.

We Continue to Serve POST 146 Hopewell, VA