A program honoring local veterans in Avonmore is moving forward, although banners honoring the veterans likely won’t be placed on poles until spring to save them from having to endure the winter weather.

The borough is participating in the “Hometown Heroes” banner program, sponsored locally by the Avonmore Volunteer Fire Department.

The nationwide program honors local veterans who have served and people currently serving in the military with colorful banners displayed along streets.

Brett Andree lives in Kiski Township but said he volunteered to co-organize the program with Avonmore VFD secretary Cindy Rupert because there was a lack of volunteers.

“The firemen came up with this idea, and everyone is solidly behind it,” said Rupert, who volunteers often in her hometown borough.

Andree said driving around neighboring towns and seeing their banner tributes to veterans made him prioritize his volunteer efforts in Avonmore.

“Avonmore was the only one that didn’t have these. I liked East Vandergrift’s the most. They have the big banners with flags behind them,” Andree said. “We need this for our town.”

The banners will be erected by borough workers on utility poles next to American flags along Westmoreland and Indiana avenues, and along intersecting streets.

Organizers said initial plans to hang all of the banners by Nov. 11 — Veterans Day — likely will be postponed until spring. The banners will be stored during the winter.

“The wind is too brutal and we have people spending a lot of money, so we’re going to try and preserve (the banners),” Rupert said.

The initial banner sale that launched this summer garnered about 90 orders.

Each custom banner made of heavy, durable vinyl measures 30 by 60 inches and features a prominent color picture of each veteran.

Each banner costs $125.

The program was approved by Avonmore Council.

Joseph Kerchensky, 80, served in the Army and has lived in Avonmore for 50 years.

Kerchensky will be honored with a banner purchased by his wife. He said it’s “emotional” to see the banners in neighboring municipalities such as East Vandergrift, Leechburg, Vandergrift, Saltsburg and West Leechburg.

“Makes you want to cry,” Kerchensky said of the hundreds of banners displayed in the Alle-Kiski Valley. “I think it’s long overdue.”

A second, monthlong banner campaign will launch next year, with applications accepted in February.