Boston Council Advances Hero Banner Program for Veterans, Sets No Formal Vote

BOSTON — February 28, 2025 — Boston City Council committee advances plans for a citywide Hometown Military Hero Banner Program. The Council Committee on Veterans, Military Families, and Military Affairs, chaired by Councilor Edward M. Flynn, held a joint hearing February 28 on two dockets — one on Hero Squares and one on the proposed banner initiative co-sponsored by Flynn, Councilor John FitzGerald, and Councilor Erin J. Murphy. Veterans Commissioner Rob Santiago outlined a phased rollout and estimated per-banner costs at roughly $250 to $300 for fabrication and hardware before installation labor. West Roxbury Main Streets Executive Director Lindsay Chase described placing 71 banners on Center Street — families paid $240 each for printing while her organization covered installation from its operating budget, with a contractor who was also a veteran reducing a roughly $8,000 initial quote to a more manageable figure. Commander Meredith Tuitt of the William E. Carter Post called on the city to commit budget dollars so that communities without Main Streets-style organizations can participate. Santiago also announced that his office's Bridge the Gap mini-grant program — offering up to $10,000 to Boston nonprofits working with veterans — has an extended application deadline of March 26, 2025, and that banner projects would likely qualify.