The large, colorful banners bear the portraits and names of military men and women from the past. Some say World War II, others recognize a soldier from the Vietnam War, Korea or even World War I.

Whatever the conflict or years of service, the key words here are honoring local veterans.

“The idea for our Veteran Recognition Banner Program came about several years ago,” said Joe Battisfore, director of Houghton County Veterans Service Office. “A member of our board saw a similar program in another town and thought it would be a neat idea to try in our area. So, we did some research and put together an informational letter and sent it out to our area municipalities.”

Families can recognize loved ones who served in the armed forces by contacting the Houghton County VA office and providing service information and a photo, Battisfore said. That information then is verified and a 30-by-60-inch banner created with that veteran’s name and image. Cost to have a banner made is $95.

A banner honoring a World War II veteran hangs on a lamp post in Hubbell. The banners are part of the Houghton County Veterans Affairs Office’s Veteran Recognition Banner Program. More than 260 banners like this will be hung around Houghton County municipalities starting this Memorial Day weekend. (Eddie O’Neill/The Daily Mining Gazette)

The banners go up for display from Memorial Day to mid-September.

“That cost is just to cover the production of the banner,” Battisfore explained, adding, “If the service person was killed in action or is missing in action, that fee is waived.”

The majority of those honored have tended to serve in the past 50 or 75 years. However, several banners do depict local service members who fought in World War I and even a few from the Civil War. The display has grown to more than 260 banners.

“Calumet jumped on the program right away,” Battisfore said. “The majority of the banners are hanging there. However, the program seems to be taking off and growing. We are now receiving around 10 requests a week. It will make for a busy summer for us.”

Praise for the program often comes from people who have no military connection at all, Battisfore noted.

“Our office frequently receives comments from people who are just visiting the area and say they like the idea of it,” he said. “They like the way it looks, and the way is laid out along the streets. It’s been very well received. We also have people contact us on how they can start a similar program in their own area.”