In honor of Memorial Day, Councilwoman Cyndi McNamara unveiled the Hometown Heroes Banner Program yesterday. The initiative, led by Councilwoman McNamara and Westhampton VFW Post 5350, aims to recognize and honor our local military men and women by displaying personalized banners with their picture and military service information in Good Ground Park in Hampton Bays.
“As the daughter and granddaughter of veterans, this program means a lot to me,” said Councilwoman McNamara, liaison to the Veterans Affairs Committee. “A great majority of the men being honored here continue to serve our community for many years after their military service has ended.” She then announced that because of his service to our community, and especially our veterans, it was most fitting that William (Bill) M. Hughes Jr. be the first honoree.
Bill Hughes, Commander of VWF Post 5350, collaborated on the project with Councilwoman McNamara but had no idea that he was being honored. “I don’t know where you got all of that information,” he said, referring to his biography. “What an outstanding job done by everyone involved. It’s a great program, in a great location. The idea to scan the QR code to read the bios of all of the veterans – what a wonderful idea.”
Councilwoman McNamara came up with the idea of adding biographies to the program after having the honor of being a guardian on an Honor Flight last year and hearing the stories of the veterans on that flight. At either end of the park, there is a QR code that links to a webpage containing a biography of each of the honorees.
The program will run from Memorial Day through Veterans Day at Good Ground Park in Hampton Bays. (9A Squiretown Road, Hampton Bays)
For more information about the Hometown Heroes Banner Program, please visit: www.southamptontownny.gov/1793/Hometown-Heroes-Banner-Program or contact Jamie Bowden at hometownhero@southamptontownny.gov.