SWAMPSCOTT — The town is aiming to honor its resident service members through the Veterans’ Services Department’s Hometown Heroes tribute program.
The project’s first phase includes the creation of 15 double-sided outdoor-vinyl colored banners that each feature a local veteran. Veterans’ Services Director Mike Sweeney said his department’s goal is to have them displayed by Veterans Day later this year.
“I think it’s important for every community to honor those who wore the uniform,” Sweeney said. “We expect a lot of families are going to want to participate.”
Sweeney expressed gratitude to Select Board Chair MaryEllen Fletcher, who he described as the driving force among town officials for helping get the program started.
“It’s something I really want to happen,” Fletcher said. “We need to raise some funds for it because it’s going to cost us about $15,000 out of the box. I’m just pushing the idea.”
Fletcher gave additional credit to Town Administrator Sean Fitzgerald, Director of Public Works Gino Cresta, and Executive Assistant to the Town Administrator and Select Board Diane Marchese for their involvement and encouragement as well.
The department is accepting nominations through Friday, Sept. 13. The two requirements are that the veteran must have been a resident of Swampscott when they first enlisted in the military, and they must either be currently serving in the military or have been honorably discharged.
“I can’t wait to see the families’ reactions and how the community responds,” Sweeney said. “These sort of tangible reminders that people remember their services are important.”
Sweeney hopes to have additional phases of the program in the future in Swampscott and Lynn. Nominations for the first phase can be submitted at https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/SwampscottHometownHeroes .
