Hometown Heroes Banner Proram

Did you purchase a banner in 2023 or 2024? Click here

2025 Hometown Heroes Application

2025 Hometown Hero Banner Program Guidelines

Nominees must meet all of the following eligibility requirements:

• Be a current or former resident of Wilmington
• Served in the United States Armed Forces
• Meets one of the following: 1) Currently on active duty. 2) Received an honorable discharge. 3) Died in the line of duty.

Banner Design and Display

Banners are 24” x 48” double-sided vinyl. Banners include a singular Veteran’s name, branch of service, years active, and photograph. Banners will be displayed on poles along Route 53 (Historic 66) and Route 102 in Wilmington for a two-year period, between approximately Memorial Day through Veteran’s Day. If all available spots fill there, banners may be placed along other roads. Requests for specific display locations cannot be honored, and banners are likely to appear in different locations in each display year.

Banner Photograph

This program requires an original photograph of the veteran in uniform. We can accept original prints, 35mm slides, or film strips. Original prints are those made from film negatives or a digital photograph.

We cannot accept the following: Copies made on a home printer, copies made at a photo service, digital photos of a printed photo, photos clipped from a newspaper, or your own digital scan of the photograph.

It is important to the Chamber that the banner photographs maintain a level of image quality that is respectful of all our veterans. If you are unable to provide a suitable photo, determined at our discretion, your money will be refunded. We are mindful that this may prevent participation to some applicants, but we cannot print photos that do not meet the minimum requirements.

You must submit an original photograph. We will scan the photo for the banner, and you may pick it back up. You must leave the photo with us. If you are unwilling to do so, you will not be able to purchase a banner. The Chamber will make every effort to ensure your photo is returned to you in the same condition it was left with us. Your photo will be available for pickup after we have scanned it for your banner. Photos need to be at least 3”x5”. Larger is better as the photo on the banner will be enlarged to nearly two feet tall. Photos will be cleaned up digitally as much as possible to remove scratches, rips, and dirt. In some cases, photos will be too damaged to clean up enough to print on a banner. If this is the case you will be asked to provide an alternate photo. If no suitable photo can be provided, we will be unable to print the banner and your money will be refunded.

Limitation of Liability

The Chamber assumes no responsibility for any loss or damage incurred to submitted photographs. Applicants acknowledge and agree that the Chamber shall not be held liable for any unforeseen circumstances, including but not limited to loss, damage, or destruction of submitted photos during the submission, review, or printing processes. Applicants are encouraged to retain copies of their submitted photographs for their records, and
submission to the Chamber implies acceptance of this limitation of liability.

Cost

The cost per banner is $150 for display in 2025 and 2026.

Partial Refunds

If banners are not displayed for the two-year period for any reason, the Chamber will refund applicants 50% of the original purchase price, minus actual printing costs. Refunds will be processed promptly upon confirmation that the second year of display will not occur. Applicants acknowledge and accept this refund, contingent on deducting printing costs, as a reasonable resolution for any non-fulfillment of the two-year term.

Deadline

The application period for 2025 banners begins January 17, and ends on March 31, 2025, or when all spots are full. If you are reading this after March 31, it is too late to get a banner made for this year.

Where to Apply

All applications, supporting documentation, and photos are to be submitted exclusively to the Wilmington Chamber Office, 616 Davy Lane in Wilmington, or next door at 614 Davy Ln. You may mail in your application.

Additional Information

• The number of banners available is limited. Spaces are given to complete qualifying applications on a first-come, first-served basis. Do not bring in your applications early, the application period opens for everybody at the same time.
• Please do not submit an application without the accompanying photograph, service verification, and signatures. Your application is not considered complete until all accompanying documentation is received.
• At the end of the two-year display period, applicants may choose to keep their banners. You will be contacted at the email or phone number provided on the application with pickup details. Banners not picked up will become property of the Wilmington Chamber of Commerce. Any damage sustained to an installed banner will be handled at the discretion of the Wilmington Chamber of Commerce.
• Only one veteran may appear on each banner and only one banner may be displayed for any veteran.
• Applying for a banner as a surprise to a living veteran is not permitted under any circumstance.

Frequently Asked Questions

Still Have Questions?