Syracuse Sun

Syracuse Mayor Ben Walsh has announced an expansion of the Syracuse Hometown Heroes veteran banner program to new locations across all quadrants of the city. The program, which allows families and friends to sponsor banners featuring their veteran or active-duty loved ones, opened for 2025 orders on February 21. Orders can be placed until March 22 through SyracuseHometownHeroes.com.

The initiative began in Syracuse in 2024 with over 150 banners displayed at Kirk Park and James Street. For 2025, additional locations will include areas around NBT Bank Stadium/Regional Market, North Salina Street, Upper Onondaga Park, Comstock Avenue near Syracuse University, Waverly and Crouse Avenues near the National Veterans Resource Center (NVRC), and Burnet Park. Banners are scheduled to be displayed before Memorial Day and remain up until Veterans Day.

Mayor Walsh expressed his satisfaction with the program's success: “The response to Syracuse Hometown Heroes in our inaugural year was outstanding,” he said. He encouraged more people to participate by celebrating their loved ones who have served the nation.

The cost for each banner is $160, covering three years of posting along with printing and administrative expenses. Orders can be submitted online or mailed to Syracuse Hometown Heroes via the Syracuse Parks Conservancy.

Syracuse Hometown Heroes was created in collaboration with the Syracuse Parks Conservancy and Dunbar American Legion Post 1642. It is sponsored by the Syracuse University Institute of Veterans and Military Families (IVMF). Financial assistance is available for eligible individuals through IVMF support, details of which are provided on the submission form at SyracuseHometownHeroes.com.

Additionally, IVMF operates SyracuseServes from NVRC as part of its mission to assist military-connected communities in accessing necessary care and resources. Since its launch in partnership with the city in 2022, this coordinated care network has supported over 500 individuals.

The Oneida County Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution contributed assistance to establish this program in Syracuse based on their experience running a similar initiative in Mohawk Valley.