Richmondville is building on the overwhelming response it received last year for veterans’ banners hanging along village streets.
The banner committee and the Ralph Sperbeck American Legion Post are asking residents for new banners to add to the more than 100 that went up last year.
Last year was the first for Richmondville to fly hero banners “because the group felt there was a need to represent people from Richmondville who served,” said committee member Denise Klug.
The committee last year expected maybe a little more than 50 responses.
“We were hoping for 60 and we got closer to 130, double what we were hoping for,” said Lisa Crapser, another committee member.
Ms. Klug agreed.
“We were shocked,” she said. “We knew Richmondville had a lot of vets, but not that many.”
And there were a few surprises.
“Some of the banners came with stories,” Ms. Klug said. “One guy went to Radez School as a child, so his banner hangs near the school.”
There are still some unrecognized out there, and that’s the aim of the current drive.
Banners cost $60, and applications must be submitted by April 18. A clear photo and a little information is necessary. The honoree should have a connection to Richmondville.
There’s widespread community support for the project, and Richmondville Power and Light will hang the banners. The plan is to have them up by Memorial Day.