Those who drive through the Borough of Christiana may notice some newly placed Hometown Heroes banners, which honor local servicemen and women who are currently in the military, as well as living and deceased veterans.

The banners were dedicated on May 30 by the Christiana Lions Club, which spearheaded the effort to have the banners created and installed throughout the borough. On the same day, the Lions met at Chantry Place to hold a dedication ceremony for three collages that depict all of the current banners.

"The collages are replicas of all 63 banners that hang around town," explained Lions Club member Steve Shivery. "People can go to borough hall and see all of them and get a map that gives directions where each one of them hangs."

Along with the collages, visitors to borough hall, 10 W. Slokom Ave., Christiana, can view a poster that features casual shots of the servicemen and women that were submitted by their families but not included on the banners. "They had an option to send us candid shots. There is a one of a man standing in front of a cannon and one looking out of a bunker," Shivery noted.

The first banners were unveiled by the club in 2017. The banners, which measure 24 inches by 48 inches, include a picture of the service member and his or her name, branch and era of service. The sponsor's name appears at the bottom. Represented on the banners are members of the United States armed forces from World War I and II, the Korean War, the Vietnam War and other conflicts.

Local residents were invited to submit photos and names for the most recent effort, beginning in February with a deadline of April to allow time for the club members to put the banners in place before Memorial Day weekend.

"We advertised it through social medial (that) you could buy a banner," said Shivery. "The original ones have been up for three years, so we decided to take names for the second phase. We were able to hit a lot of streets where we did not have banners (before). For a little town, to have 63 (banners) is wonderful."

Shivery noted that more than 100 people attended the dedication ceremony, which was moved indoors because of rainy weather. He added that the effort to install the banners has been supported by borough council and the community. "(The Lions) do a lot of volunteerism - that's what it's all about," he stated. "As an organization, we need to stand up and do things and people rally around us."

The Lions Club is currently taking names for additional banners. For more information, email christiana.lions@gmail.com or send a message through the club's Facebook page, http://www.facebook.com/ChristianaLionsClub.