Hometown Heroes Banners to be hung in city of Syracuse

SYRACUSE, N.Y. (WSYR-TV) — The city of Syracuse is officially a Purple Heart City following Wednesday’s proclamation from Mayor Ben Walsh.

Syracuse is now joining more than 900 communities nationwide, in becoming a Purple Heart City. The city will be posting new purple and white signage at four designated areas near the city line. Those areas include South Salina Street, North Salina Street, East Genesee Street, and West Genesee Street.

Mayor Ben Walsh says he traveled to Washington D.C. last September for Honor Flight and was approached by Vietnam Veteran and Purple Heart Recipient Joe Fraccola. Fraccola asked Walsh if he would declare Syracuse a Purple Heart City.

“Without our veterans fighting the American Wars, we could be under Germany, we could be under Japan, who knows what would have happened? You wouldn’t have gotten the freedom you have here,” said Fraccola.

Syracuse will also be honoring veterans and active duty military this summer through its Hometown Heroes Banner Program.

“They serve as daily reminders of those that are currently serving the military, those that have served, those that have made the ultimate sacrifice,” said Mayor Ben Walsh, city of Syracuse.

The banners will also serve as a lesson to our children.

“When you pass one of the banners and you got some children in the car, they are going to say why is that banner up there? What is this all about? And then you’re going to tell them this is an opportunity for you to learn that these veterans are the reason that you’re free,” said Fraccola.

300 banners will be hung on city poles across different parts of Syracuse starting in August and will remain hanging until Veterans Day. Herb Dunmore, a Vietnam veteran and Purple Heart Recipient says he is happy the city is finally hanging the banners and says it was long overdue.

“The hometown heroes project is something that we at Syracuse can come together on. I think there will be more camaraderie, more friendliness if you will,” said Dunmore.

Mayor Walsh expects the number of banners to grow even bigger in the coming years.

“We’ll launch the first three hundred, we’ll see how it goes and if we’re in a position to expand it, we certainly will consider doing that,” said Mayor Walsh.

The 300 banners will be posted on James Street, near downtown. The signs will extend from there to Eastwood. They will also be hung inside Kirk Park on the southside of the city.

The banners cost $160.00, which includes three years of posting. The city says the first 300 orders will be accepted in the order they are received.

Banners can be ordered now until June 20, while supplies last.

Orders can be submitted online or by mail: Syracuse Hometown Heroes, c/o Syracuse Parks Conservancy, P.O. Box 11384. Syracuse, NY 13218.

Powered by News Channel 9.