Medina’s banners from 2021 to be replaced with new group this year

133 ‘Hometown hero’ banners can be picked up Wednesday, Thursday at village office

File photo: The banner for Asa Hill, a  Civil War soldier, was among the 133 banners that debuted in 2021. He was wounded in battle and lost a leg due to the injury. He came home to Shelby and was a farmer until his death in 1881.

MEDINA – A new group of Hometown Hero banners will go up this spring and 133 banners that first went out in 2021 won’t be back.

The banners from three years ago will be available for pickup at the village office at 119 Park Ave. on Wednesday from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. and 1 to 4 p.m., and then on Thursday from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Mary Woodruff, coordinator of the program, will be at the village office on the two days. She has the banners organized with a signature sheet in the crate with a serviceman/woman’s last name.

She asks people having someone else picking up a banner to notify her at mbwoodruff16@gmail.com.

“I am most humbled by your tolerance while you all waited so patiently for your banners,” Woodruff said in a message to the families. “2021 was the year that broke the record of banners sponsored by all of you. While cleaning each banner, I was sure to say goodbye to each serviceperson and a prayer for each also. I get sentimental when the banners are sent back home where their families/friends have waited for their return.”

This year there will be 78 new banners going up. They will join others from 2022 and 2023, making for about 190 total.

The banners are on a three-year cycle from when they first go out and then are “retired.”

Woodruff thanked the Medina Village Board, the DPW led by Superintendent Jason Watts and village clerk’s office led by Jada Burgess for assisting with the banners and supporting the effort.

“When you think the world is becoming a negative hive of angry, uncaring people stroll down the streets of Medina and your attitude will soar towards positivity in a moment!” Woodruff said.

Woodruff in July will start to accept applications for new banners for 2025. Woodruff said she already has a waiting list for 2025.