The city of Laurel will soon display Hometown Heroes banners in honor and recognition of those who have served in the U.S. Armed Forces and local law enforcement, fire and rescue organizations.Sponsored by the city and the Laurel Board of Trade, the Hometown Heroes banner program allows residents to nominate a person to the program committee, Mayor Craig Moe and board of trade president Marvin Rogers. Program Chairwoman Lou Ann Crook said a banner will then be designed to recognize or remember the person nominated and displayed across Cherry Lane or Van Dusen Road over a 60-day period."The applicants would just submit the names and reasons why these people should be honored or remembered," Crook said. "There's a small group that consists of two city staff members and two board of trade members who would evaluate the criteria. Then, the Laurel Board of Trade would do fundraising activities to fund the banners and the city of Laurel would take it from there to install and maintain the banners."The idea of Hometown Heroes banners began with the recognition of Laurel native Lance Cpl. Eugene C. "Gene" Mills III, Crook said. Mills was killed in the line of duty during his service in Afghanistan in 2012.Carl DeWalt, Laurel Board of Trade director and a former Laurel Police Department captain, said Mills' service will be the staple of the campaign to remember Laurel's heroes who went above and beyond the call of duty."He was 21 years old when he was killed in Afghanistan," DeWalt said. "[His father] Gene is a retired Prince George's County officer and the more I got to know about his son and his dedication and his contributions, he is by far a great example for our hometown hero."Five months in the making, DeWalt said he and fellow Board of Trade members pushed for the program in the city after speaking with hundreds of residents about their own service and that of their family members.(photo by noah scialom) B582212493Z.1 dow}, Marines from the 4th Combat Engineer Battalion carried the casket of Laurel Marine, Lance Cpl. Eugene "Gene" Mills II after funeral services at Grace Community Church in Fulton."It was a lot of fun meeting with everybody and asking them things about that," he said. "I think the program is absolutely fabulous because there are – and I'm sure we're going to find a lot more – local heroes. I think it's going to bring back a lot of history and I think it will be absolutely great for the city of Laurel, in general."In addition to war veterans, the Hometown Heroes Banner program will also recognize local police, fire and rescue officials, said Maureen Rogers, Laurel Board of Trade administrative coordinator."I've seen it in other cities and it keeps you aware of the people who have lost their lives, whether it is in the [military] service or a police officer, and give honor to them," Rogers said. "I think it's so important to be aware of that because the jobs that they do are incredible."To submit nominate an honoree, residents must sent a letter to Mayor Craig Moe or board of trade president Marvin Rogers at the city of Laurel. Additional information on the program is also available by contacting Lou Ann Crook at 301-725-5300, extension 2125.