*banner orders for 2026 are CLOSED, you can pay to reserve your banner for the next season*

Main Street Washington’s Military and Veteran Banner Program

The Main Street Washington Design Committee is proud to announce it is now accepting applications for its commemorative banner program. This initiative is designed to recognize and honor the brave men and women who are currently serving, or have previously served, in the United States Armed Forces.

The program serves as a visible tribute to our veterans, military personnel, and the families who share deep ties to the Washington area. Each banner features a photo of the honoree, along with their name, branch of service, and years of military tenure or war served.

Qualifications

To be eligible for the Military and Veteran Banner Program, one of the following criteria must be met:

The Honoree is an active-duty member of the United States Armed Forces.
The Honoree is a retired, deceased, or honorably discharged veteran who currently resides—or previously resided—in Washington or Washington County.
The Applicant is a current resident or a business owner based in Washington.

Banner Style and Display

Each banner is a double-sided, full-color, 18” x 45” display, custom-made using a photo provided by the applicant.

Timeline: Banners will be installed on the decorative light poles throughout the Main Street district on or around Memorial Day and will remain on display through Veterans Day.
Duration: Banners will be displayed for two consecutive seasons.
Availability: We are currently honoring up to 20 service members. Banners are reserved on a first-come, first-served basis upon receipt of payment. There is a limit of one banner per honoree.

Cost and Photo Requirements

Cost: $200 per banner for a two-year period. This fee covers the purchase of the banner, professional installation, and ongoing maintenance.
Giving Back: A portion of the proceeds serves as a contribution to the English River Outfitters HERO program.
Photo Details: Applicants must provide a high-quality photo. While a photo of the honoree in uniform is recommended, it is not required.
Digitization Support: If you do not have a digital copy, please bring your physical photo to the Main Street Washington office at 120 East Main Street, and we will digitize it for you.

Disclaimer and Retrieval

Main Street Washington and the City of Washington are not responsible for replacing banners that are stolen, damaged, or destroyed due to sun exposure, weather, age, vandalism, or acts of nature beyond our control. At the conclusion of the second year, every effort will be made to return the banner to the honoree or the applicant.

Sample:

applications close April 20, 2026

Hometown Hero Banner

Downtown Washington, Iowa