By Jaimie Julia Winters
After a successful debut in 2025, Kearny’s Hometown Heroes banner program is returning, once again inviting families and community members to honor local veterans and active-duty service members.
The program recognizes Kearny residents who have served in the military by displaying personalized banners along Kearny and Midland Avenues. Each banner features a photo of the honoree along with their name, military branch, and service details. The initiative is funded through sponsorships and administered by the Kearny Urban Enterprise Zone (KUEZ) and the Kearny Mayor and Council, in partnership with American Legion Post 99, VFW Post #1302 (Wilson-Gugelman), and the West Hudson Marine Corps League.
Banner sponsorships are available for a fee of $110, and sponsors may include families, friends, businesses, or organizations. Applications will be accepted through March 6. The banners will be displayed along Kearny Avenue from Memorial Day through Veterans Day.
Last year’s program far exceeded expectations, surpassing its original goal of 50 banners with 200 sponsorships.
New this year is an expanded effort to preserve the personal stories behind each honoree. Through a partnership between KUEZ, the Kearny Museum, and the Kearny Library, the program will now include a storytelling component. As part of the newly launched Kearny Hometown Heroes Audio Project, Library Director Josh Humphrey and his staff will conduct interviews with sponsors to record brief oral histories of the honorees. The opportunity is open to both new applicants and participants from last year’s program.
“We are delighted to announce that this year we are adding an exciting new component to our Hometown Heroes banner project,” said KUEZ Coordinator Linda D’Isa.
Humphrey emphasized the importance of preserving these stories for future generations.
“Securing and sharing these stories and memories of our local heroes is important for us both today and for future generations so we understand the human side of military service,” he said.
The recorded narratives will be edited and integrated into a Hometown Heroes Google Map, allowing visitors to listen to veterans’ stories while viewing the banners along Kearny Avenue. Plans also call for the Audio Project to be accessible on both the Town of Kearny and Kearny Library websites.
A dedication ceremony will be held in conjunction with the Kearny Memorial Day Parade ceremonies on May 21.
Additional information about banner sponsorships and applications is available on the Town of Kearny website or at https://bit.ly/3YXvxqt. Printed application forms can be obtained at Kearny Town Hall, the KUEZ office at the Town Hall Annex (410 Kearny Ave.), and at each of the UVO Houses along Belgrove Drive. Forms may also be downloaded at www.kearnynj.org.
For questions or assistance, contact KUEZ at KUEZ.nj@gmail.com or 973-860-8990. Existing Hometown Heroes banner sponsors interested in participating in the Audio Project are encouraged to contact the Kearny Library at srios@kearnynj.org or 201-998-2666, ext. 4214.
Jaimie Julia Winters is an award-winning editor and journalist. She has held senior editorial and communications roles with local, nonprofit, and faith-based news organizations, including Montclair Local, Jersey Catholic, The Record, South Bergenite, Ridgewood News, and North Jersey Media Group/ Gannett, where she helped pioneer digital-first reporting, transparency-driven coverage, and features.
