Visitors and workers on Main Street in Bel Air have likely noticed banners on flagposts in recent months that are emblazoned with photos of men and women in uniform.
The faces of the "Hometown Heroes" banner program, launched by Bel Air Downtown Alliance in 2011, include several prominent Harford County residents lost within the past year: Sheriff's Office Senior Deputy Patrick Dailey and Deputy First Class Mark Logsdon, as well as Bel Air Police Department's previous Chief Leo Matrangola.
"This is our second installment of the program, and we have had some repeat heroes and some of the families have helped have some new ones," Christine McPherson, executive director of the Alliance, said.
The program was originally designed "to honor men and women from the Harford County area who have served or are currently serving our country in a branch of the military," according to the Alliance's website, but this year is "a little different" in featuring law enforcement officials, like the two deputies shot to death in Abingdon Feb. 10, McPherson said.
"Each unique banner includes the soldier's picture, branch of service and era of service. The banners are 24 inches wide and 44 inches tall and include sponsor's name, prominently displayed at the bottom," according to the website.
The banners are displayed on Main Street from May to July and again in November for Veterans Day, according to the website. The banners are sponsored for $250 each, with the sponsorship fee paying for the banner and administrative costs.
"The community support for the program is very much there," McPherson said, adding she believes it has been a boon to Main Street.
Although most banners are sponsored by families, a few are spearheaded by organizations. The county's Chamber of Commerce sponsored the banner for Maj. Gen. Milton Reckord, the namesake of Bel Air Armory, and Bel Air Police sponsored Matrangola's banner, McPherson said.
"We definitely hear from the community how much they appreciate seeing those put up," McPherson said about the banners. "It does give a nice vibe to downtown, and we certainly want to respect and honor the contributions all of them have made."