Claude Kreibel laughs when asked if he could still fit in his army uniform as his Hometown Heroes Banner is on display at Bob's Place in Parker as Hometown Heroes Banner project put up 300 banners in Parker, St. Petersburg and Foxburg on Wednesday.

PARKER, Armstrong County — Nearly 200 banners bearing the images and names of residents who served in the U.S. armed forces grace the utility poles along the city's quiet streets.

The 168 banners in Parker are among the 281 banners hung in Clarion, Venango and Armstrong counties before Memorial Day this year that are the result of the first Hometown Hero banner project in the area.

Veterans and the families of veterans who missed out this year can soon begin submitting applications to purchase banners that will be hung next spring.

“All the banners for this year are up,” said Michael Goughler, a city resident who is spearheading the project.

In addition to Parker, banners were hung in Perryville, West Freedom, Dutch Hill, West Monterey, Foxburg, St. Petersburg and Perry Township in Clarion County, Perry Township in Armstrong County and Emlenton in Venango County.

“It took a year to get to the point of the banners,” Goughler said.

The application process is lengthy because it includes approval from the company that makes the banners and the municipalities where the banners will be hung, and the veteran's information must be verified, he said.

Read more about this hometown effort to honor our veterans in Monday's Butler Eagle.