Banners recognizing and honoring Mesa residents and their family members who are serving or are veterans of the U.S. Armed Forces are being displayed in downtown Mesa.

The 49 banners are on streetlamps along Main Street until June 5 as part of Memorial Day observances to recognize their sacrifice and remind the community of their dedication to our country, according to a release.

“It is very special that we recognize these service members ahead of the Memorial Day holiday. The banners are a great homage and give a deeper meaning to Memorial Day,” Vice Mayor Jenn Duff said in the release.

Duff, several banner recipients and their families participated in a brief program May 23 to honor the service members. Each banner features a specific Mesa service person and includes their name, branch of service and photo if provided.

The Hometown Heroes Banner Program is part of a series of events in Mesa to honor veterans and active-duty military members:

• Memorial Day May 30;
• i.d.e.a. Museum, 150 W. Pepper Place, and Arizona Museum of Natural History, 53 N. Macdonald, are Blue Star Museums offering free admission to active military, with identification, and their families from now through Labor Day, Sept. 5;
• Arizona Celebration of Freedom July 4 from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. with various military and veteran displays;
• East Valley Veterans Day Parade Nov. 11. The banners will also be displayed along Main Street and Macdonald;
• Veterans activities at Falcon Field Airport ;
• Mesa Vets Connect, a valuable online resource for veterans needing assistance.

The city of Mesa Hometown Heroes Banner Program is administered by the Mesa Community Engagement Office in collaboration with the non-profit, community-based Downtown Mesa Association.