County Executive Anthony J. Picente Jr. announced today that the Mohawk Valley Hometown Heroes banners for veterans program is expanding to more communities and will begin taking submissions Feb. 1.
This year, banners honoring veterans will be newly hung in the Town of Westmoreland, as well the Village of Newport in Herkimer County and the Town of Exeter in Otsego County.
“The Hometown Heroes program is a great way for families and friends to honor loved ones who have courageously served this country and for Oneida County to show its appreciation for the veterans who have resided here,” Picente said. “I am happy to see the Town of Westmoreland joining the communities that are already flying these inspiring banners and I hope more will do the same. I encourage everyone whose life has been touched by a veteran to join me in ordering your banner beginning Feb.1.”
The Mohawk Valley Hometown Heroes banner program began in January 2022, when Mischael McKenna, a member of the Oneida Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution, formed a committee with Trena DeFranco, Regent of the Oneida Chapter NSDAR; Tom Buono, of the Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 944 and Joe Fraccola of the Military Order of the Purple Heart Chapter 490.
In its inaugural year, approximately 200 banners were hung along the Memorial Parkway in Utica. Last year, the program expanded to the Town of Verona and its Hamlets of Durhamville, New London and Verona Beach, as well is in the Hamlet of Unadilla Forks in Otsego County.
The City of Rome, the Town and Village of New Hartford, towns of Whitestown, Paris and Bridgewater, villages of Whitesboro, Yorkville, Waterville and West Winfield (Herkimer County) and the Hamlet of Sauquoit are also part of the program.
A total of 1,709 banners were hung across all locations in 2025.
“Each year for the past three years, we have been overwhelmed and thrilled with the response from the community, and the feedback and stories we hear are arguably even better,” McKenna said. “We are looking forward to this year as we continue to expand the program.”
Each banner features the name, military branch, rank and years of service/war served, along with a photo of the veteran. The veteran honored can be living or deceased. The cost to purchase a 30-inch X 60-inch banner is $150. Banners will be displayed from Memorial Day to Veterans Day for three years. After the three-year term is up, the banners are returned to the buyer and new ones must be purchased. Banners are only available in the participating areas.
Submissions will be taken at the program’s website from February 1 to March 21, 2026.
Mohawk Valley Hometown Heroes is sponsored by the New York State Correctional Officers and Police Benevolent Association.
Photo: (L-R) Tom Buono, Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 944; Trena DeFranco, Oneida Chapter Daughters of the American Revolution; Mischael McKenna, Oneida Chapter Daughters of the American Revolution; Oneida County Executive Anthony J. Picente Jr.; Rome Mayor Jeffrey Lanigan and Utica Mayor Michael Galime.
