Hometown Heroes Banner Program

NEW: The City of DeBary is now accepting applications to nominate our 2024 Hometown Heroes!

The DeBary Hometown Heroes Program is designed to honor and remember DeBary military heroes (currently serving, retired, deceased, or honorably discharged) for their sacrifice and service to our nation.  Selected Hometown Heroes will have a commemorative street-pole banner displayed with their likeness at City Hall.

The Hometown Heroes Committee, comprised of appointed residents, MOAA, and VFW members, has established the following eligibility requirements:

• Must have ties to the City of DeBary. Proof of residence (currently residing or have lived in DeBary).
• Proof of service (DD-214, Military ID card) branch of service, and number of years served.
• Must have been honorably discharged.
• Priority will be given to the following: Elderly Veterans of foreign wars, special medals of honor recipients, Veterans wounded during service, deceased veterans.

If you would like to nominate a local hero, you can pick-up an application at City Hall Monday through Friday between 8:30 AM and 5:00 PM or download a copy from the link below. 

Applications must include all required documentation at the time of submission.

• A high resolution or digital photograph of the service member in military uniform.
• A copy of the service member’s “DD-214” (certificate of release or discharge from active duty) or other official documentation confirming military service.
• Signed photo release acknowledgment.

Incomplete or late applications will not be accepted or considered.

Applications must be received at City Hall 16 Colomba Road, DeBary, Florida 32713 by 5PM on Wednesday, May 15, 2024.

Direct all questions to Cristina Raimundo at 386-601-0238 or via email: craimundo@debary.org

Thank you for nominating a local hero!

SPONSORS

Any person, business, or organization can help support the Hometown Heroes Banner Program as a sponsor. Your sponsorship of $100 dollars supports the purchase of a full-color custom designed banner which is displayed in front of City Hall. Each banner displays the name, rank, branch of service, and photo of the Hometown Hero. These banners are given to the honorees as a thank you for their service. As a sponsor your company logo will appear on the banner to recognize your support. If you prefer your sponsorship remain anonymous please check the box on the sponsorship form.

Sponsor forms are available at City Hall or by downloading a copy from the link below. 

Payments are made on site at City Hall. Checks should be made payable to the City of DeBary. Cash payments are NOT accepted. Sponsorships will be accepted until October 1, 2024 by 5PM.

The 2023 DeBary Hometown Heroes are:

• Senior Chief Aviation Machinist’s Mate Jimmy Dwight Hinesly- a 30 year retired Veteran who served in the Vietnam War with the United States Navy

• Corporal Alfred Kneer who served during the Korean War with the United States Army

• Underwater Demolition Team Specialist Medward James Tessier he served two years during the Korean War with the United States Navy

• Seaman 2^nd Class Elwood Leroy Bauerle served for two years during WW II with the United States Navy

• Radioman 2^nd Class Ed Harriman served during WW II with the United States Navy

The City of DeBary honored their inaugural class of five Hometown Heroes at the November 1, 2023 City Council Meeting. Family, friends, community leaders, and City Hall staff joined the honorees during the presentation which was led by Cristina Raimundo, a Communications Specialist with the City of DeBary and designated contact for the Hometown Heroes Program. Raimundo, a Marine veteran herself, expressed gratitude on behalf of the City.

“For veterans and their families, the program is a way to share stories, memories, and to build community with other veterans and active duty service men and women,” stated Raimundo during her presentation at the Council meeting. “This great tradition is now a part of DeBary history.”

Among the honorees, four individuals served in the United States Navy, while the other served in the U.S. Army. The City of DeBary conducted prior interviews with the Hometown Heroes or their loved ones, presenting a brief video at the meeting encapsulating their service and experiences in their own words.

“These guys [U.S. veterans], every one of them, put their life on the line so you and I could have the freedom we have today” stated Jeanne Laurine, daughter of Hometown Hero, Edward Bauerle, during a tearful video interview shared at the council meeting. “I’m so grateful to the City of DeBary for doing this and honoring these veterans because they are truly our heroes.”

The 2023 DeBary Hometown Heroes are:

• Senior Chief Aviation Machinist’s Mate Jimmy Dwight Hinesly- a 30 year retired Veteran who served in the Vietnam War with the United States Navy
• Corporal Alfred Kneer who served during the Korean War with the United States Army
• Underwater Demolition Team Specialist Medward James Tessier he served two years during the Korean War with the United States Navy
• Seaman 2^nd Class Elwood Leroy Bauerle served for two years during WW II with the United States Navy
• Radioman 2^nd Class Ed Harriman served during WW II with the United States Navy

DeBary City Council signed proclamation 20-23-19 on September 6, 2023 initiating a Hometown Heroes Banner Program. The program honors and remembers the men and women that have served, or currently serve, in the Armed Forces and have ties with the City of DeBary. The honorees were selected in partnership with the Veteran of Foreign Wars Post #8093 in DeBary. The selection criteria included having proof of service, having lived or still reside in the City of DeBary and had to have honorable discharge.

The banners containing the service member’s name, branch of service, and photo are hanging from lampposts outside of DeBary City Hall. They will remain displayed for the month of November to coincide with the Veteran’s Day holiday. After November the banners will be given to the families as a keepsake.