Hometown Heroes and families to be recognized at banner unveiling Friday

For immediate release: Wednesday, Sept. 6, 2017
News from Greater Topeka Chamber of Commerce Military Relations Council
120 S.E. 6th Ave. Topeka, KS 66603
Contact: Michaela Saunders, vice president of brand strategy, 785.234.1030
Note to editors: An illustration of a banner is available on request, as is the list of recognized veterans. Some families participating Friday have agreed to speak with the media. We will gladly make introductions Friday morning.
Hometown Heroes and families to be recognized at banner unveiling Friday
Twenty-three of Topeka’s Military Hometown Heroes will be recognized on downtown banners beginning on Patriot Day, Sept. 11. To honor them and their families, the Military Veteran Project, Topeka Chamber Military Relations Council and other sponsors will host a short program beginning at 9 a.m. at Westar.
Topeka’s Military Hometown Heroes banner program connects the Capital City with other communities in Kansas and across the nation in creating a vibrant tribute for our neighbors who are serving, or have served in the armed forces of the United States.
Spearheaded by the Military Veteran Project, the banner program also is made possible with support from the Military Relations Council, the City of Topeka, Visit Topeka and Downtown Topeka, Inc.
“We wanted to give our community a way to honor and pay tribute to our local veterans and giving loved ones a way to show their appreciation for their veteran’s service through the Military Hometown Heroes of Topeka,” said Melissa Jarboe, founder of the Military Veteran Project, a volunteer-driven nonprofit focused on prevention of military suicide through research and treatment. MVP is based in Topeka. “This is a big deal for these families.”
MVP received enough applications to recognize a veteran to fill next year’s 40 banner positions as well.
On Friday morning, beginning at 9 a.m. at Westar headquarters, Hometown Heroes and family members of those who have memorial banners will be able to view the banner prior to the brief presentation. Topeka Mayor Larry Wolgast will speak, as will Jenalea Randall, whose husband, Lt Col Anthony Randall, is remembered on a banner. The names of every Hometown Hero recognized with a banner will be read aloud. The families are then invited to share a private meal provided by Aboud’s Catering and Million Air. Special thanks to Westar and Absolute Designs by Brenda for their support as well.
The Hometown Heroes banners will be on public display in the Westar pocket park from approximately 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Friday and will be displayed beginning Monday on downtown light posts. The banners will remain on display downtown through Veterans Day.
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