Last year, the Greater Oakland Business Association (GOBA) and the Mayor and Town Council of Oakland, in partnership with the Proctor Kildow American Legion Post 71, the Garrett County Republican Women’s Club, and the Deer Park VFW Post #10077 were proud to recognize and pay tribute to our military heroes for their sacrifice and service by developing a veteran banner program called “Oakland Honors”, to recognize current and former veterans who served in the United States military.
The vibrant red, white, and blue patriotic banners that lined Oakland streets last year are returning this year, and they will also be made available to order for yourself. Under the program, families can honor a family member who served in the Armed Forces by buying a banner. The banner will have a photo of the veteran being honored along with other information such as the branch and years in which the veteran served, and additional information as space allows.
Oakland Business Coordinator, Nicole McCullough, said the idea for the banners came about when past GOBA Director, Pat Franc, had seen similar displays in other towns and presented the idea to the Board.
“Pat had seen them in other communities and he thought it would be a worthwhile project here for the Town of Oakland,” McCullough explained. “It got immediate support from the GOBA board and membership and the Mayor and Town Council, so we partnered with other groups we thought would have interest in the project. From there we formed a committee and the project started to come together.”
The committee included Patty Hammond and Luanne Ruddell from the Garrett County Republican Women’s Club, Rob Heilig from the Proctor Kildow American Legion Post 71, Calvin Friend from the Deer Park VFW Post #10077, Nick Sharps from the Garrett County Chamber of Commerce, Franc, and McCullough.
The Town of Oakland Street Department will place the banners on utility poles to be displayed on Oak Street and Third Street. The banners are double-sided and measure 24″ x 48″. They will be displayed from Memorial Day through Veterans Day.
Applications are now being accepted for the program. Due to a limited number of banner locations, applications are on a first-come, first-served basis, and the chosen applicants will be notified by the Town. The cost to participate in this project is $175 per banner. To access the banner application and view the rules and regulations, please visit oaklandmd.com/vetbanner or contact Nicole McCullough at Oakland City Hall (301-334-2691) or nicole@oaklandmd.com.
