Kiwanis Club of Millcreek
Honor Your Hero:
Join the Erie and Millcreek Hometown Heroes Banner Program
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Imagine walking down State Street and seeing your loved one's face proudly displayed among the stars and stripes—a lasting tribute to their service that inspires the entire community. For just $95, you can make this happen with a custom banner honoring active service members, veterans, or those who made the ultimate sacrifice.
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Why Participate? It's More Than a Banner—It's a Community Legacy
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Celebrate Sacrifice: Share their story of bravery and dedication. Banners feature high-quality photos, name, rank, branch, and service era, displayed prominently from Memorial Day through Veterans Day.
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Build Community Pride: Join hundreds of families who've already immortalized their heroes.
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Easy and Meaningful: Your contribution covers design, production, installation, and maintenance for two full years. We handle replacements for any damage—because honoring heroes shouldn't be a hassle.
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What Participants Are Saying
"Seeing my grandfather's banner every day reminds our town of the real cost of freedom. It's the best way we've found to say 'thank you.'"
"The process was seamless, and the banner quality is top-notch. Our community feels more united than ever."
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Limited Spots Available—Act Now!
We have limited room for banners this season to ensure every hero gets the spotlight they deserve. Applications are reviewed in batches, and spots fill up fast. Don't miss your chance to create a permanent mark of honor before they're gone.
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A Gift That Gives Back
As a thank you for your participation, we'll send you a free digital version of the banner design to share on social media or print at home. Plus, your sponsorship helps fund local veteran support events—giving back to the community that heroes protected.
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Expert-Approved Impact
Programs like this are recommended by veteran organizations and psychologists like Dr. Robert Cialdini, who highlight how public displays foster unity and respect. It's not just a banner; it's a proven way to influence positive community change.
Ready to Honor?
Its a simple 3 steps to start your application. Questions? Contact us at cathy@szy.com—we're here to help make this tribute perfect.
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This program brings people together in ways words alone can't describe. We love our heroes because they remind us of who we are as a community—join us and feel the pride!
Who is Eligible?
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The recognized individual: Must have resided in the City of Erie or Millcreek Twp.
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Individuals must have served in any of the following branches:
Army – Marines – Navy – Air Force – Space Force – Coast Guard – National Guard -
Must meet one of the following conditions:
Currently be an active service member, Be an honorably discharged veteran, or Died in the line of duty. -
Proof of service will be required for all nominees:
Copies of Military Service Verification Forms DD214 or a letter from their commanding officer will be required.​​
Purpose, Description and Rules of the program?
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The program was created to pay tribute to the men and women of the city of Erie, and Millcreek Twp., who are serving, have served or have given their life to our country in the United States Armed Forces.
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The Hometown Heroes banners will be displayed on State Street in Erie and West 8th Street in Millcreek Twp.
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All banner locations shall be determined solely by the Kiwanis Club of Millcreek Area.
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Each 24" x 48" banner will be double sided, full-color and custom designed with their name, branch of service and a photo (if provided) and the dates of their service.​​
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The cost to purchase the banner is $95.00.
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The banner will remain in place for 2 years. After which the banner will be permanenty removed and given to the nominator.
Step 1 of 3:
Gather Your Hero's Story and Essentials
Before honoring your loved one with a custom banner, take a moment to craft a heartfelt tribute. Write one or two paragraphs (up to 1,000 characters) sharing their journey—their bravery, key moments of service, and why they inspire you. This personal narrative not only celebrates their legacy but also connects with our community, much like the touching stories from families who've participated before, fostering a shared sense of pride and unity (as highlighted by experts in community building).
For photos of living individuals, we require a signed photo release to ensure respect and consent—download the form here, have the service member sign it, and upload it with your application. If they're deployed, a simple electronic or handwritten approval works just as well. Then, select your favorite high-quality photo of them in uniform, ideally scanned at 1024 pixels wide by 2048 pixels tall for stunning clarity on the banner. Starting with these steps commits you to creating a meaningful display that echoes the gratitude of countless others who've joined this program!
Step 2 of 3:
Share Your Hero's Details—
Let's Make It Official
Now that you've gathered your hero's story and essentials, it's time to bring it all together in our simple online form. This quick step locks in your commitment to honoring their service, joining the ranks of families who've already created over 500 banners nationwide, building a wave of community gratitude that grows stronger with each submission.
Start by entering your details as the submitter—your name, address, city/state/zip, phone, and email—so we can keep you updated every step of the way. Then, share your relationship to the service member or veteran, their full name, military branch (select from the dropdown), rank if known, and key service details. This consistency in providing accurate info ensures a banner that's as precise and powerful as their legacy deserves.
As a token of our appreciation, once submitted, you'll receive an instant confirmation email with next steps. Remember, spots are filling fast this season—when they are gone, we must close applications. Expert-backed programs like this, endorsed by veteran affairs groups, highlight how these visible tributes foster unity and respect.
Fill out the form and proceed to checkout for just $95—your hero's story is about to inspire the whole town!
Step 3 of 3:
Thank You for Honoring Your Hero!
You’ve taken a meaningful step to celebrate your loved one’s service, joining countless others in creating a powerful community tribute.
Your order is confirmed, and rest assured, your hero’s banner is in expert hands.
Our dedicated team, trusted by veteran organizations nationwide, will handle design, production, and installation with care to ensure a stunning display from Memorial Day to Veterans Day.
As a thank you, we’ll send a digital version of the banner for you to share or keep.
If any questions arise, we’ll reach out promptly to keep everything on track.
With only a few spots left this season, your timely action ensures your hero’s legacy shines bright, uniting our community in gratitude.
Sit back and feel the pride—you’ve made a lasting impact!
Your Information
Service Member/Veteran
Select your favorite high-quality photo of the service member in uniform, ideally scanned at minimum of 1024 pixels wide by 2048 pixels tall for stunning clarity on the banner.
Copy of Military Service Verification Forms DD214 or a letter from their commanding officer is required.
Image Release Form Download
For photos of living individuals, we require a signed photo release to ensure respect and consent—download the form here, have the service member sign it, and upload it with your application. If they're deployed, a simple electronic or handwritten approval works just as well.