A popular way to honor veterans in the community is making its way to Palmerton.

The Palmerton American Legion and Palmerton Veterans of Foreign Wars are now taking orders for Hometown Hero banners to be displayed on street poles throughout the borough, Bowmanstown Borough, Towamensing Township and Lower Towamensing Township.

“This is going to be for veterans and those currently serving in the armed forces,” said Joe Uhnak, Palmerton United Veterans Organization member. “Other towns have done this, and we’ve decided it is our turn in Palmerton. We have a lot of people in the Palmerton area who are veterans or currently serving. This is a wonderful way to honor them. I think it goes hand-in-hand with the veterans memorial and other past projects in town.”

The 4-foot-long banners, which will be double-sided and cost $175, include the veteran or active service member’s name, picture, branch of military and can also include war served in, years served, place stationed, and whether in infantry, pilot, mechanic, artillery, etc.

Lehighton, Jim Thorpe, Nesquehoning, Summit Hill, Lansford and Tamaqua are among the surrounding areas to have banners in the community honoring its veterans.

“People have approached us and asked when we were going to do it,” UVO member Steve Vlossak said. “It’s become such a popular idea and it’s time to bring it to Palmerton.”

Uhnak and Vlossak hope the banners will be up by late spring.

According to the application form, the total text on the banner should not be more than four lines with 12 characters per line, for best quality.

Requests for the location of the banner will be considered and placed as near as possible, with the exception of Delaware Avenue, which could not be a possibility due to the already existing Palmerton banners.

Information can be submitted by the veteran or military member themselves, or a friend or family member of the individual.

Uhnak said 8-by-10 color photographs will work best for the banners.

Application forms can be picked up at Bert’s Steakhouse and Restaurant, Palmerton Borough Hall, Country Harvest, Hager Furniture, the post office, Palmerton Area Heritage Center, Shea’s Hardware, Vic’s Time, Hungarian Club, Sokol Hall, and at the VFW on Forest Inn Road. They will be available starting Monday.

The deadline for application submission, with payment, is March 15.

Anyone with questions can contact Uhnak at 610-826-2902 or Vlossak at 610-826-7070.