Mischael McKenna and her husband were making their way through Vermont a few years ago when they came upon a community lined with telephone poles from which hung banners saluting the area’s veterans.

McKenna, a member of the Oneida Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution, said her husband suggested she propose a similar program for Oneida County.

The Mohawk Valley Hometown Heroes banner program began in Utica in January 2022, when McKenna formed a committee with Trena DeFranco, regent of the Oneida Chapter of the DAR, Tom Buono of the Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 944 and Joe Fraccola of the Military Order of the Purple Heart Chapter 490.

“It was just an idea last year,” McKenna said Wednesday afternoon, speaking at a press conference hosted by Oneida County Executive Anthony Picente Jr. to announce the program’s expansion into four more municipalities in the county. “We were hoping to get 50 [banners]. We got 198.”

Now, the program is expanding into Rome, New Hartford and Whitesboro.

Utica announced its own expansion of the program separately on Tuesday.

“It’s a great program that gives families and friends the opportunity to honor their loved ones,” said Picente, who last year purchased a banner in honor of his father’s service in World War II.

“There are so many veterans that have served this community.”

About the Hometown Hero banner program

Each banner features the name, military branch, rank and years of service/war served, along with a photo of the veteran. The veteran honored can be living or deceased.

The cost to purchase a banner is $150. Banners will be displayed from Memorial Day to Veterans Day for three years. At the end of that time, the banner will be given to the person who purchased it.

Submissions will be accepted at the program’s website mohawkvalleyhometownheroes.com until Friday, March 31, 2023.

Mohawk Valley Hometown Heroes is sponsored by the New York State Correctional Officers and Police Benevolent Association and Harley Davidson of Utica.

Oneida County expansion

Rome Mayor Jacqueline Izzo, New Hartford Mayor Donald Ryan and Whitesboro Mayor Glenn Hopsicker were present at Tuesday’s press conference and praised the banner program, welcoming it into their communities.

New Hartford Town Supervisor Paul Miscione also was invited, but could not make it.

Izzo said Rome’s banners will fly along the main highway that goes through Griffiss Business and Technology Park. The former military base is home to the Air Force Research Lab (Rome Lab), Defense Finance and Accounting Center (DFAS), Eastern Air Defense Sector (EADS) and the city’s Vietnam Veterans Memorial.

“What better place than a former Air Force base, now a booming technology park,” Izzo said of where the banners would be located within the city.

Hopsicker said Whitesboro is honored and excited to recognize veterans through the program.

“We’ve got to remember all these people,” he said.

Utica expansion

Citing overwhelming public demand, Utica Mayor Robert M. Palmieri announced on Monday Utica would expand the program to include the newly renovated Oriskany Boulevard corridor.

Officials at Tuesday’s announcement noted Utica’s expansion would likely double the number of banners hung in the city.

“We can never do enough to honor veterans,” Palmieri said in a statement.

“The city of Utica is proud to join forces with local businesses and organizations to honor those who have sacrificed to protect everything we hold dear. I’m proud the program has been well received and I’m excited that this expansion is going to allow us to honor more veterans.”