New Hometown Hero banners on display in downtown DeKalb

DeKALB – Seventeen new DeKalb Hometown Hero banners have been posted in the downtown area.

The DeKalb Hometown Hero program is a joint project of the DeKalb American Legion Post 66 and the City of DeKalb. This program was created to pay tribute to the brave men and women from DeKalb, Illinois who are serving, have served, or have given their life to our country in one of the United States Armed Forces.

“Each year we have an opportunity to add additional banners as part of this project,” American Legion Commander Manuel ‘Manny’ Olalde is quoted in a press release. “These banners feature the service’s members name, photo image, military branch and rank. We at the Legion are proud to honor these military people.”

The Hometown Heroes banners are displayed on Locust, Second and Third streets in downtown DeKalb. Many of the new banners will be displayed along Lincoln Highway.

“We are extremely pleased with the new 17 members we added to the other 59 banners from previous years,” Legion Banner Project Coordinator Michael Embrey is quoted saying. “We will start taking applications for the Class of 2022 in October and will have a limit of 12 new banners.”

The individuals recognized must reside or have resided in the City of DeKalb and/or call DeKalb their hometown. Individuals must have served in any of the following branches: Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, National Guard, Coast Guard or Space Force.

The DeKalb American Legion is celebrating its 100ths anniversary in 2021. During the month of June, the Legion will take place in numerous events, including the DeKalb Community Band Flag Day Concert on June15, being recognized as an outstanding community organization at the “Music at the Mansion” Concert on June 30 and several military funerals and memorial services.

To learn more about the DeKalb American Legion contact Commander Manuel Olalde at 815-756-4551.