Marengo Is Accepting Applications for Hometown Hero Banners

The Marengo-Union Chamber of Commerce is accepting applications for its 2026 Hometown Hero Banner program. The banners honor military members from the community: those currently serving, veterans, and those who have died.

Each banner is 30 by 80 inches, printed locally by Marengo Signs and stitched by HyperStitch. They are displayed on street poles along Marengo's main corridors, installed and maintained by the City Street Department. The goal is to have them up by late September or early October, in time for Settlers' Days weekend (October 9 through 12). They come down when the city puts up Christmas decorations.

The mission of the Marengo Union Chamber of Commerce is to recognize our Hometown Heroes who are serving now, have served, and who are departed.

Marengo-Union Chamber of Commerce

To apply, a family member submits a biography of the person being honored: date of birth, place of birth, childhood, family, and military service. The Chamber does not fact-check the biographies. It does hold ownership of all banners unless families choose to purchase them.

The cost is $250 per banner, split into a $125 deposit and a $125 final payment due before display. Banners are available on a first-come, first-served basis.

The banners go up in late September and come down when the city switches to Christmas decorations. If you have driven through town during Settlers' Days weekend, you have probably already seen them.

Applications and information are available through the Chamber at 815-568-6680 or 779-901-8101, or by email at info@marengo-union.com. The Chamber office is at 116 S. State Street.