About the Program
The West Chicago Veterans Day Display Program was created to honor local veterans through the installation of decorative banners installed downtown from the third week of October through the last week of November.
Each banner features a local Veteran’s military, accompanied by their name, years of service, and military branch and is featured in the City’s downtown pedestrian-oriented zone, which includes street sections of Main Street from Washington Street to Wilson Avenue, Galena Street from Main Street to High Street, and Turner Court from Washington Street to Main Street.
Cost
The Program is fully funded by the City of West Chicago and there is no cost to participants or their nominators.
Program Guidelines
To ensure there is no maximum number of participants, the Program guidelines include printing a different Veteran on each side of the double-sided banner and annually rotating banners that are displayed. The Program was updated in 2023, participants of the Program prior to 2024 will continue to be part of the Program, but are able to receive their banner. More information about the Program change and how to pick up previous banners is available on this web page.
Nomination Guidelines
To be eligible for the Program, Veterans must be current, or deceased, residents of West Chicago and have served in any of the U.S. armed services.
Eligible individuals can be nominated by friends, family members, or themselves to be included in the program. The City will add 14 new participants per year, with enrollment being ongoing and entries added on a first-come, first-served basis. If 14 participants have already been selected for the year, remaining entries will be added to the waiting list for the following year's entry list.
Nominations are accepted online only by submitting information in the form on this web page. All information, including a photo that meets the appropriate guidelines, must be submitted using the form on the program's webpage. If the submitted information is incomplete, City staff will contact the nominator. Please note that incomplete applications will not be added to the waiting list until they are complete.
The form to submit information for the Program is available on this web page.
If assistance is needed in completing the form, residents may contact the Marketing and Communications Division by emailing communications@westchicago.org or calling (630) 293-2200 ext. 139.
Photo Guidelines
The following guidelines are provided to ensure that the highest quality photo is submitted. If a photo is of too low quality, City staff will request a new photo to be submitted. If seeking assistance with scanning a photo, please contact the City of West Chicago Museum.
- Photos should be submitted at the highest resolution possible via scanning an image or taking a photo of an image.
- Photos should be free of any obstructions such as fingers or hands, large stains, or other items that may block the visibility of the actual photo.
- If taking a photo of a photo using a mobile phone, ensure that the phone camera settings are adjusted to the highest quality.
- Photos of images on other device screens (i.e., computers) should not be taken.
- Submissions should include the whole photo, not portions of photos.
- Photos should not be skewed and taken at the appropriate angle.
Banner Pickup for Participants Prior to 2024
As part of new guidelines, the City will be updating the design of its Veteran Day Display banners, which allows existing banners to be retired and returned to the appropriate participants or their family and friends. Provided is a general summary of how to arrange a time to pick up a banner.
How Can I Arrange to Pickup My Banner?
You can schedule a time to pick up your banner by filling out the form below, or emailing communications@westchicago.org or calling (630) 293-2200 ext. 139 with the following:
- first and last name of the appropriate veteran as it is displayed on the banner; and
- an email where a confirmation can be sent.
Please note: The preferred method of arranging a pickup is by submitting details through the form below. If calling or emailing, your request may be delayed as the information will still be required to be inputted by staff.
Veterans Day Display Program Nomination
Eligible individuals information can be added in the form below to submit an entry for participation in the Program. All entries are received on a first-come, first-served basis with all completed entries, without inaccuracies, being added to the Program's waiting list. Nominators will be contacted at the email provided once the nominee is scheduled to be initially displayed in the Program.
2024 Veteran Honorees
- Erik Nelson (2009–2015, U.S. Army)
- Harry Hummel (1943–1946, U.S. Army)
- William Birch (1973–1977, U.S. Air Force)
- Richard Howard (1949–1953, U.S. Army)
- Vincente Alvarez (2018–2022, U.S. Marine Corps)
- Lawerence “Lorny” Urban (1942–1946, U.S. Army)
- Frank Dorner (1968–1971, U.S. Army)
- LeClaire Carey (1968–1971, U.S. Army)
- Donald Nellis (1945–1949, U.S. Army; 1949–1953, U.S. Air Force Reserves)
Program Inductees
The Veterans Day Display Program is an official community initiative of the City of West Chicago.