On June 13, Whitehall Township held a ceremony to recognize the success of the Hometown Hero banner program. More than 50 community members were in attendance at the military memorial in front of the Whitehall Township Municipal Building, 3219 MacArthur Road.

After Mayor Joseph Marx opened the program with the Pledge of Allegiance and the playing of the national anthem, Brandon Hibbler, bureau chief of recreation, described the Hometown Hero program to the crowd. In the program’s fourth year, there are now 34 banners hanging on poles throughout the township, with 17 of them being new this year.

Hibbler thanked everyone for participating and recognized the sacrifices made by those who were honored with a banner. Marx addressed those in attendance by speaking about the banners and gave a prepared speech acknowledging Flag Day and the importance of the American flag.

To close the ceremony, Hibbler invited sponsors to come to the podium and talk about their banners. Frank Groller spoke emotionally about the banners hanging at MacArthur Road and Chestnut Street, honoring the service of his father and himself.

Bruce Schmidt talked about the banner he sponsored for his sister and what it means to him.

The cost to sponsor a banner is $250. After two years, the sponsor has the option to renew the sponsorship with the purchase of a new banner for $150. They are then given the original banner to keep. For more information on the program, call the municipal building at 610-437-5524.