PROGRAM INFORMATION

The Bowling Green Hometown Heroes Program is a heartfelt initiative that honors military service members, both past and present, who have ties to the Bowling Green area.  The project was introduced at a news conference by Marcia Latta, the 2024 President of the Bowling Green Community Foundation, on February 29, 2024.  This project was a way of celebrating the 30th anniversary of the foundation’s commitment to making the BG community a better place. The foundation is proud that we honored 164 soldiers with banner in 2024 and 64 soldiers in 2025.

Here are the key details:

·         Purpose: The program celebrates the bravery and dedication of individuals who have served or are currently serving in the U.S. Armed Forces. It aims to foster community pride and recognition for these heroes.

·         Banners: Participants are featured on 30-by-60-inch banners that display their name, military branch, photo, and other optional details like service era and honors. These banners are displayed on light poles throughout Bowling Green, creating a visible tribute.

·         Eligibility: To qualify, the honoree must have served in the U.S. Armed Forces (active duty, reserves, or National Guard) and have a connection to Bowling Green, such as residency or attending local schools for at least four years.

This program not only honors individual service members but also strengthens the community's connection to its history and values.

The second wave of the application period for requesting a Hometown Heroes banner for your veteran or active service member has now ended. We want to thank the veterans and active members for their dedication and service to our country. We also want to thank them and their family members for recognizing their service through this Hometown Heroes project. We anticipate that all banners will be placed by the city by Memorial Day of each year. The foundation hopes to offer more banners in the future but cannot provide a possible date at this time due to limited number of poles available.

We want to thank the Al and Mary Green Family Fund, Mayor Aspacher and his staff, Wood County Veteran Services, the various Veterans groups in Bowling Green, donors and others that helped make this project a reality.