If there's one thing Tamaqua Councilman Justin Startzel wanted to do before leaving to embark on service to his country, it was to make sure pride returns to Stadium Hill.

Startzel, 26, will leave next week for Fort Jackson, South Carolina, to undergo basic training for the Pennsylvania National Guard Reserves.Earlier this week, Startzel completed site prep work for his oversized, blue-and-white Raiders letters and then erected the signage Tuesday. On Wednesday he made note of any areas that will need finishing touches on the project, something he unveiled three years ago.Startzel used plywood to reproduce the school logo 8 feet high and 8 feet wide. Then, he took the same type of wood to create individual letters 4 feet wide and 8 feet high.The $700 project required one week of full-time work to produce what is believed to be the largest seasonal display of school and community pride in the coal regions.The sign salutes fall sports programs in the Tamaqua Area School District, including participants, their families and fans.The student body enjoys the finished work so much that some students have chosen to use the large letters as a backdrop for their senior class portraits."I couldn't be pleased enough to have such great friends who helped," Startzel said.For instance, Michele Mehallic helped to retrieve the massive wooden letters from storage.James Jackowski, Brenden Bugge and James Jackowski Jr. assisted with unloading and installation, a job made easier through use of an electric drill borrowed from Michael J. Houser.Jael E. Sullivan supplied water and soda to the installation team and Cathy Milot Miorelli supervised and provided emotional support, Startzel said."It was easier this time because I left the frames up from last year," Startzel said.The project was made possible in 2014 by community donors such as John Brode, who assisted financially when Startzel created new, larger letters.Startzel said the project wouldn't be possible without cooperation from the Tamaqua Area School District.The signage will be displayed until December when Startzel returns. At that point, he'll dismantle it.In the meantime, "I have several people who'll be keeping a watch over it while I'm gone," he said.Startzel has a history of promoting community spirit.In 2012, he designed and placed 25 large painted Raider Pride wooden signs throughout the town, then tied ribbons to poles and parking meters and painted store windows with pep signs.He also re-established the October community pep rally before the Tamaqua-Marian football game that same year.The event drew 700 fans to Depot Square Park and the Tamaqua Blue Raiders football team went on to finish with a perfect 10-0 league record and the Anthracite League Championship.He hopes the signage will continue to foster pride and a high level of morale that will carry over into an exciting schedule of fall sports.