The Daily Item, Sunbury, PA

Sunbury/Norry Region

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February 12, 2013

Sunbury veterans banner committee seeks help

By Rick Dandes The Daily Item

SUNBURY — The second annual Northumberland County Hometown Veterans Banners program is well under way and the Sunbury Revitalization Inc. committee is looking for help.

More than 75 banners were sold in 2012 and Hill Neighborhood Elm Street Manager Jess Runkle said SRI is looking to top those numbers this year.

Runkle also announced that anyone who purchased a banner last year can re-hang those banners at half the price.

New banners cost $200 and banners that will be re-used will cost $100, Runkle said.

“We are very excited to now offer those that participated in the program last year an opportunity to continue honoring their veteran by re-hanging the banners from last year,” Runkle said.

The program was initiated after former Elm Street manger Kristen McLaughlin program visited Lock Haven, which started a similar program a few years ago.

McLaughlin brought the initiative back to Sunbury and described it as a “terrific program.”

City Council loved the idea and voted in favor of allowing Sunbury Revitalization Inc. to use street light posts to hang the 18- by 36-inch banners that bear photographs of county military personnel who served in any branch at any time.

Each banner includes the soldier’s name, era and branch of service, a photo, hometown and sponsor name.

The banners will hang on Front Street and Market Street between May and November, and Runkle said the push is on to sell.

Banners come down in November, and are cleaned then returned to the soldiers or their family.

There are 99 posts on Market Street and 66 on Front Street that can be used for the project, and SRI will do all the work for the $200 and $100 price tag.

The banners that will be re-hung will be in a separate location that SRI will announce at a later date, Runkle said.

Old banners will have to be returned to SRI should the participant choose to re-hang the banner.

In addition to being available at the SRI and mayor’s offices in the Sunbury Municipal Building at 225 Market St., forms for both sponsorships and to submit photos will be available at the following locations:

Northumberland County Veterans Affairs Office, 399 S. Fifth St., American Legion Post 201, 611 Market St., VFW Thomas-Brill Post, 2 Shikellamy Road all in Sunbury.

Susquehanna Bank locations in Sunbury, Shamokin, Kulpmont, Mt. Carmel, Milton, and Pillow will also have forms.

All forms and photos must be submitted to the SRI office, prior to March 1st.  If someone cannot make it in, special arrangements can be made by contacting SRI.  An unveiling ceremony is scheduled for May 4.

For more information, call Sunbury’s Revitalization, Inc. at 286-7768 or visit www.sri@sunburypa.org

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