PANAMA CITY BEACH — Faces of U.S. heroes soon will fly at a popular intersection on the Beach.
To give locals a way to honor veterans in their family or friends, Panama City Beach has created the Veteran Hero Banner Program, which allows people to purchase a banner dedicated to their loved one that will hang from a light pole at the intersection of Powell Adams Road and Panama City Beach Parkway (Back Beach Road).
According to city officials, the banners, which cost $100 each, will be displayed from Independence Day until Veterans Day. Then they will be returned to the donor.
“When local government is able to step in and help people recognize (veterans and the) sacrifices (they have) made for this country … I think it’s a win for everyone involved,” Councilman Michael Jarman said.
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Jarman said the Beach’s banner program is modeled after a similar initiative by Panama City officials.
“Panama City has a program like this, and we saw it and thought it was a great idea,” he said. “It’s something that the city could definitely get behind (to) show the community’s support for our veterans and those who served our country and also gave the ultimate sacrifice.”
Anyone can purchase a banner, and the veterans do not have to be a resident of Panama City Beach or Bay County.
If they served during a specific war, that also will be featured on the banner, along with their full name and a picture that must be contributed.
Those interested in purchasing a Veterans Hero Banner can do so through the city’s website at pcbfl.gov. Look for the link to a form asking for the veteran’s name, rank, branch of service and any wars they served in.
The form, along with a picture of the veteran and a $100 check to the city of Panama City Beach should be mailed or dropped off to City Hall, 17007 Panama City Beach Parkway
Jarman said there is room for about 28 banners at the Powell Adams Road and PCB Parkway intersection. Additional banners will be hung at new light poles constructed through the Panama City Beach Community Redevelopment Area Plan.
“I love it,” he said of the program. “I’m going to do one for my grandfather. He was a major in the Marine Corps, and his name was Ronald Brown. He was a (Panama City Beach) councilman (from) 1974 to 1978.”
This article originally appeared on The News Herald: Panama City Beach creates Veterans Hero Banner Program for highway