Banner program promotes honouring and recognizing our veterans

Robin Krafft, Post Contributor

The names and faces proudly portrayed on banners along Quarter Town Line (Veteran’s Parkway) invite questions about service and sacrifice.

A humble, but prominent, member of the Tillsonburg Military History Club initiated the Veteran Banner Program after seeing banners in other communities and noting that the program was taking hold across Canada. After conducting research and lobbying to get the necessary approvals, the program was launched. Now in its third year, there are currently 122 banners.

The Town of Tillsonburg, Tillsonburg Lions, Tillsonburg Rotary Club and the Tillsonburg Military History Club were the initial sponsors that provided the funding kickstart. Working in collaboration with the Tillsonburg Legion, the goal is to honour and remember our veterans.

Tillsonburg Hydro provides excellent support, volunteering time and resources to put the banners up in mid-September and take them down after Remembrance Day.

The second phase of the program launched this year in collaboration with the Tillsonburg Post, featuring print stories provided by families that expand upon the photos and service information on the banners.

Tillsonburg Military History Club charter member Frank Moore explained the mission: "To recognize and honour our veterans (both deceased and active service members) or veterans who have served or are currently serving in the Canadian, Allied or Commonwealth forces." He added that the program is open to all residents of Tillsonburg.

Moore said that the program promotes remembrance, and with three schools on Veteran's Parkway, it is hoped that the children and young people who see the banners will be inspired to ask questions and seek out their stories.

"The program is open to all families who wish to honour their loved ones who served," Moore said, "and applications for 2026 are now available."

Contact veteranbannerprogram@gmail.com for more information.