The Carmichaels Women’s Civic Club recently coordinated the Hometown Heroes Military Banner Project throughout Carmichaels Borough and Cumberland Township. The project was a way for the Civic Club to honor and recognize Cumberland Township and Carmichaels Borough men and women who served, are currently serving, or have given their lives for our country in the United States Armed Forces.
A committee was formed, and I was named as the Chairperson to oversee this project. Before we got underway, proper clearances from Cumberland Township, Carmichaels Borough, West Penn Power, and PennDot were obtained.
Initially, the committee partnered with the Carmichaels & Cumberland Township Volunteer Fire Department and Cumberland Township to secure their help in installing the banners. It soon became apparent that the project needed more assistance installing the banners; therefore, local businesses, individuals, and family and friends were contacted to help as well.
The project started in April 2023 and was only to last two years. To date, over 300 banners are displayed on utility poles along major roadways throughout the community of Carmichaels. The amount of interest within the community was overwhelming. The banners were purchased solely by family members or friends and, in a few cases, donations were accepted for veterans who had no immediate family left in the community. The poles around the town square were reserved for veterans who were killed in action or died from a service-related injury.
One interesting fact the Civic Club learned from this project is that the lady in the example to the right is the oldest, living veteran in Greene County and possibly the State of Pennsylvania. She will be turning 106 on November 22. Her banner, along with her husband’s, hangs in front of her daughter’s house on Route 88.
Civic Club members have received many thanks and accolades from individuals within the community for undertaking this project. The real thanks goes out to all the volunteers who have helped install the banners; namely, Carmichaels & Cumberland Township Volunteer Fire Company, Brodak employees (Noska brothers), Cumberland Township employees, Jeff and David Donaldson, and my family and friends.
